Classic Poem

I.

Thou , mother, saw'st mine eyes' first glance
Drink in the light of earthly day;
On thine expiring countenance
I saw descend a heavenly ray.

II.

For thee, O mother dear, a grave is made,
And in a quiet spot, to thee well-known;
Above it broods a home-recalling shade,
And even flowers are at its threshold strewn.
E'en as thou diedst, there thou liest hidden,
Unchanged, with every trace of joy or smart;
To live again thou art not e'en forbidden —
For this thy grave is dug within my heart.

III.


The tolling of the funeral bell
May fade, and sink, and die;
But, in my breast, a mournful knell
Shall ever softly sigh.

IV.

Thou scarce with earth wast covered, ere
A friend with pensive pace
Drew near, and decked with roses fair
Thy silent resting-place;
Two at thy head that softly glow,
Two dark ones at thy feet;
Two white ones that for aye shall blow
Above thine heart smell sweet.

V.

A leaf is falling at my feet,
Weary alike of rain and heat;
Ah! when this leaf was green and new,
I still had parents fond and true.

How soon a leaf doth pass away,
The child of spring, the autumn's prey!
And yet this leaf that downward dives
So much that was so dear survives!