I had a dream the other night,
Too sweet for word of tongue,
Of days when, beautiful and bright,
The children all were young.
I saw them playing on the floor
And ’mongst the dooryard flowers.
Soft baby voices came once more
From unforgotten hours.
I came from work when eve was late
And all the sky was gold.
They ran to meet me at the gate
With greetings as of old.
I helped to tuck them in at night
With prayers of happiness,
But my arms ached when dawn was bright
With a great emptiness.