On An Infant Dying As Soon as Born

     AcuriousframeofNature’swork;


     Afloweretcrushdinthebud,


     AnamelesspieceofBabyhood,


     Wasinhercradle-coffinlying;


     Extinct,withscarcethesenseofdying:


     Sosoontoexchangetheimprisoningwomb


     Fordarkerclosetsofthetomb!


     Shedidbutopeaneye,andput


     Aclearbeamforth,thenstraightupshut


     Forthelongdark:neermoretosee


     Throughglassesofmortality.


     Riddleofdestiny,whocanshow


     Whatthyshortvisitmeant,orknow


     Whatthyerrandherebelow?


     ShallwesaythatNatureblind


     Checkdherhand,andchangedhermind,


     Justwhenshehadexactlywrought


     Afinishdpatternwithoutfault?


     Couldsheflag,orcouldshetire,


     OrlackdshethePrometheanfire


     (Withherninemoonslongworkingssickend)


     Thatshouldthylittlelimbshavequickend?


     Limbssofirm,theyseemdtoassure


     Lifeofhealth,anddaysmature:


     Womansselfinminiature!


     Limbssofair,theymightsupply


     (Themselvesnowbutcoldimagery)


     ThesculptortomakeBeautyby.


     Ordidthestern-eyedFatedescry


     Thatbabeormother,onemustdie;


     Soinmercyleftthestock


     Andcutthebranch;tosavetheshock


     Ofyoungyearswidowd,andthepain


     Whensinglestateesbackagain


     Tothelonemanwho,reftofwife,


     Thenceforwarddragsamaimèdlife?


     TheeconomyofHeavenisdark,


     Andwisestclerkshavemissdthemark,


     Whyhumanbuds,likethis,shouldfall,


     Morebriefthanflyephemeral


     Thathashisday;whileshrivelldcrones


     Stiffenwithagetostocksandstones;


     Andcrabbèdusetheconsciencesears


     Insinnersofanhundredyears.


     Mothersprattle,motherskiss,


     Babyfond,thouneerwiltmiss:


     Rites,whichcustomdoesimpose,


     Silverbells,andbabyclothes;


     Coralredderthanthoselips


     Whichpaledeathdidlateeclipse;


     Musicframedforinfantsglee,


     Whistlenevertunedforthee;


     Thoughthouwantstnot,thoushalthavethem,


     Lovingheartsweretheywhichgavethem.


     Letnotonebemissing;nurse,


     Seethemlaiduponthehearse


     Ofinfantslainbydoomperverse.


     Whyshouldkingsandnobleshave


     Picturedtrophiestotheirgrave,


     Andwe,churls,totheedeny


     Thyprettytoyswiththeetolie;


     Amoreharmlessvanity?