HER EYES

Sometimes her eyes are blue as deep sea-blue, And calm as waters stilled at evenfall. I see not quite my child in these blue eyes, But him whose soul shines wondrously through her. Serene and unafraid he was, and knew How to dispel the fears in other hearts, Meeting an anxious gaze all tranquilly: These are her father’s eyes. Sometimes her eyes are blue—the azure blue Of an October sky on mountain-tops. I do not see my child in these blue eyes; They are the eyes of him whose spirit glowed With happiness of soul alone which lies Far deeper than the depths of bluest eyes— Whose smile a thing of joy it was to see: These eyes, this smile, are his. Sometimes her eyes are of a tired gray-blue, Filled with the sadness of an age-old world. And then again my child’s not in these eyes; These are the eyes of one whom grief assailed, Whom disappointment crushed with its great weight. Around his head a halo memory casts, Reflecting that refiner’s fire which purged Him clean, and made him what he was. Sometimes in child-amaze and wonder-blue Her baby eyes are lifted up to mine. These only are the eyes she brought with her. And so I fold her close within my arms And talk of dolls, and stars, and mother-love, For well I know that pitifully soon She will be grown, and then her eyes will hold Only the deeper lights—his own eyes knew!