We were all much younger, happier then,
And untouched by heartache, sadness;
In dreams, we go back again and again,
And bring to our hearts gladness!
From Grandpa Frank, father of the Fields,
And Miss Pauline, who married his boy;
The hand of fate's no longer concealed,
As countless descendents live the joy.
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How he sleepeth! having drunken
Weary childhood's mandragore,
From his pretty eyes have sunken
Pleasures, to make room for more- -
Sleeping near the withered nosegay, which he pulled the day before.
Nosegays! leave them for the waking:
Throw them earthward where they grew.
Dim are such, beside the breaking
Amaranths he looks unto- -
......
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
......
I mind me in the days departed,
How often underneath the sun
With childish bounds I used to run
To a garden long deserted.
The beds and walks were vanished quite;
And wheresoe'er had struck the spade,
The greenest grasses Nature laid
To sanctify her right.
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Ein staubiger Sonnenstrahl
fällt schräg auf den Küchenboden.
Draußen kräht ein Hahn,
drinnen summt das Radio leise,
irgendwo ein Lied,
das keiner mehr ganz kennt.
Meine kleinen Hände
greifen nach dem Brot,
noch warm,
......
With the power invested in you to give light
As from 6:45 p.m., you waste no time in
Shining warmly bright;
Gently you flourish, and with the power of
Renewed energy upon which you prompt us
Little kids, reminding us of the ticking clock
In our racing hearts.
Tic-toc-tic-toc-tic-toc.
And your lights, generous, shine on the evening
Sun, slowly sinking beyond giving light.
......
"Oh dear baby,
Come on, little honey,
You're so cute!
Perform for mommy for money.
This will get you known.
Leave the toy, let's practice.
Pick up the phone."
"Oh, see, you're famous!
Followers in millions, you see?
......
Down the driveway and along the sidewalk
Fallen leaves whisper underfoot of a teetering post-toddler
Through the front yard and over the fence
Laughter of the leaves grows louder under velcroed shoes
Up a tree and over the great stone wall
Crunches and snaps and crackles in twigs under bunny eared sneakers
A long trail long silent
A railway lingering in disuse
The new conductor’s symphony of nature has covered over the tracks of the predecessor
The Railroad never known in its operation to a child who has only lived so long
......