Poems (Kimball)/Four

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

FOUR.

FOUR in one home and each its chiefest blessing,
 Each the darling centre of fondness and delight;
Four in one heart and each the whole possessing;
 Mystery of love, love only reads aright!

Each little head enhaloed with affection;
 Each little face the sweetest when it smiles;
Each claiming first and tenderest protection;
 Each as the others comforts and beguiles.

Grouped round his knees or to his shoulders clinging,
 Nestling in his arms or climbing up his chair,
Brimming o'er with laughter, dancing, leaping, singing,
 Thus the happy father names his darlings fair:

Sallie is "my daughter" (my boundless pride and pleasure);
 Kittie is "my child" (my offspring and my crown);
Louie is "my girl" (my sweetest one, my treasure);
 Ethel is "my baby" (the love that love weighs down).

Four in one home and each its chiefest blessing;
 Each the precious centre o the household sphere;
Four in one heart and each the whole possessing;
 Mystery of love that love alone makes clear!