Love Songs of Childhood

The Dead Babe

Last night, as my dear babe lay dead,

In agony I knelt and said:

"O God! what have I done,

Or in what wise offended Thee,

That Thou should'st take away from me

My little son?

Upon the thousand useless lives,

Upon the guilt that vaunting thrives,

Thy wrath were better spent!

Why should'st Thou take my little son-

Why should'st Thou vent Thy wrath upon

This innocent?

Last night, as my dear babe lay dead,

Before mine eyes the vision spread

Of things that might have been: 

Licentious riot, cruel strife,

Forgotten prayers, a wasted life

Dark red with sin!

Then, with sweet music in the air,

I saw another vision there:

A Shepherd in whose keep 

A little lamb-my little child!

Of worldly wisdom undefiled,

Lay fast asleep!

Last night, as my dear babe lay dead,

In those two messages I read

A wisdom manifest;

And though my arms be childless now,

I am content-to Him I bow

Who knoweth best.

by Eugene Field

*I recently stumbled upon this poem in a book that my sister gave me 10 years ago. I am not posting it because of anything recent. It has been several months since my last miscarriage. It perfectly sums up the feelings I have had 11 times for my Lambs that are now with the Good Shepherd.