Baby Looking out for Me

TWO little busy hands patting on the window,Two laughing bright eyes looking out at me;Two rosy red cheeks dented with a dimple;Mother-bird is coming; Baby, do you see?

Down by the lilac-bush, something white and azureSaw I in the window as I passed the tree;Well I knew the apron and shoulder-knots of ribbon;All belonged to Baby, looking out for me.

Talking low and tenderlyTo myself, as mothers will,Spake I softly, "God in heaven,Keep my darling free from ill.Worldly good and worldly honorsAsk I not for her from Thee;But from want and sin and sorrow,Keep her ever pure and free."

****Two little waxen handsFolded soft and silently;Two little curtained eyesLooking out no more for me;Two little snowy cheeks,Dimple-dented nevermore;Two little trodden shoes,That will never touch the floor;Shoulder-ribbon softly twisted,Apron folded, clean and white;

These are left me, and these only,Of the childish presence bright.

Thus He sent an answer to my earnest praying,Thus He keeps my darling free from earthly stain,Thus He folds the pet lamb safe from earthly straying;But I miss her sadly by the window-pane.

Till I look above it; then, with purer vision,Sad, I weep no longer the lilac-bush to pass,For I see her angel, pure, and white, and sinless,Walking with the harpers by the Sea of Glass.

Two little snowy wingsSoftly flutter to and fro;Two tiny childish handsBeckon still to me below;Two tender angel eyesWatch me ever earnestlyThrough the loopholes of the stars;Baby's looking out for me.