Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The Children's hour

A Quiet Evening by Christa Kieffer
A Quiet Evening

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
that is knows as the Children's Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.
An American Girl Smiles Down from the Stair Bannisters by Joel Sartore
An American Girl Smiles Down from the Stair Bannisters

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence;
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

Two Little Girls on a Sofa
Two Little Girls on a Sofa


They climb up into my turret
O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Little Girl Sitting in Blue Arm Chair by Mary Cassatt
Little Girl Sitting in Blue Arm Chair


Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old moustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
The most popular American poet of the nineteenth century, Longfellow is well remembered for works such as "Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Song of Hiawatha"
This is one of his most famous shorter poems.

8 comments:

Mike Golch said...

you are so creative.

Tracy said...

I love poetry and Henry Longfellow is one of the better poets I have read. Thank you for sharing. It makes me want to read more of his poems!

Lorie said...

Hello to MiMi from MeMe-I came over from Mikes and I love your blog do you mind if I put you on my favorites and come back often? WE have ALOT in common.
I love your poetry and pictures.Come visit me.Be blessed, MeMe Lorie

Cathy said...

The poem and pictures were great. Thanks for all your interesting posts, Mimi. :)

Ruthie said...

I've always loved that poem. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for your concern over my wrist - it's improving slowely. I'm sure going to watch where I am walking in the future!!!
Smiles.

Denise said...

I really enjoy your blog, such wonderful poems.

Jodi said...

One of my favorites! Beautiful poem.

Sis. Julie said...

I love this poem!! I do miss the sounds of little children in our home!! All of ours are grown...although two are still at home...but they aren't small anymore. I'm anxiously awaiting my son and his wife to tell us when they are expecting their second child (they miscarried the first one). I can't wait to hear the little feet of grandchildren running through our home!!