Jean Eleanor Wilkerson

Oh! our hearts leapt with joy on that morning,
When sweet little Jean asked a part
Of our home and our care and our fortune,
And the love of a fond parent's heart.
And the sunshine of love filled our musings,
And added a charm to our words.
Oh! our baby's first cry on that morning,
Was sweeter than songs of the birds.

With rapture we stood by her cradle,
And peeped at the loving blue eyes,
And noted each change of her features,
When e'er there was cause for surprise;
And then as the weeks followed swiftly
We noted the changes that came,
And how her eyes searched for the voices
When e'er we would call her by name.

Oh! happy the home with the baby,
For music and harmony dwell,
For the burdens of toil press so lightly
When fond hearts with music doth swell.
And though we have lost her, the sweetness
Of joy that was ours for a day,
Shall ever be treasured and cherished,
Shall ever be with us to stay.

^__Ed Blair.