Poems (Ripley)/Two Children Asleep

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POEMS

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TWO CHILDREN ASLEEP
Two human buds locked fast in sleep;  Two little strangers in this world; Upon a couch in a darkened room  I find them softly curled.
Holding the light above my head  That I may not awaken them; I feast my eyes upon their charms,— Two buds upon one stem.
Four times have the red, red roses bloomed  And graced the month of perfect days, Since one came to us to delight  Us with her pretty ways.
Her oval face of olive tints  Is softly flushed, like a damask rose; Dark, silken lashes sweep her cheeks  In softly hushed repose.
Her dusky hair lies thick and soft  Upon her pretty, baby head,—Her dimpled arms and tiny hands  Rest on the coverlet.
Her rosy mouth is dewy-fresh,  And tempts me sorely to bend down,—If it would not awaken her— And press a kiss thereon.
Six times have the snowdrops hung their bells  Of snow, all flecked in emerald, Since the other one from heaven came  And this old world beheld.
Her face is like a lily fair,— And daintily-flushed like a sea shell; And golden lashes sweep her cheeks,  O'er eyes like sweet blue bells.
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A silken strand of golden hair  Trails o'er her cheek, like a sunbeam; A smile plays round her sweet, red mouth  At something in her dream.
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