THE EARTH MADONNA
Reading edition
Beloved, see, within my close-curved arm He lies, your child. Oh! keep us well from harm! Love him, by all our tender love and true— As I through him find deeper love for you. All our great hopes and dreams and dear desires Lie in this small shut hand; our purest fires Burn here in this new life—your soul and mine Fused to new shape immortal and divine. And yet—if in this holy hour and dear Great Death came down and stood beside me here, And said “One must I take with me tonight, but keep That one for which your heart would longest weep Tears of heart’s blood,——Beloved, I could smile And lift the child to meet his kiss the while, So you were left. For he, so dear, so dear, Is but my child—But you, my Life, stay near!