RELINQUISHING
BY THEDA KENYON
Sure, 'twas like the angels' footsteps when your baby feet went racin'—
And see the funny toothmarks, on your little, battered cup....
'Twill be a different metal bit my lad will soon be facin'—
But, dearie ... though my heart's half broke ... I'm proud to give ye up!
Good-by, lad ... I'll not cry, lad ...
Stoop lower, whilst I kiss ye....
But—as the days slip by, lad,
Will ye guess how much I miss ye?
Then sometimes, with ye rollickin' and rompin' all about me,
I'd ask myself how I could ever pay for so much bliss;
And I'd wonder how I'd ever lived so many years widout ye....
But, dearie ... now, I see it all ... I bore ye just for this!
Good-by, lad ... I'll not cry, lad ...
Stoop low, dear, whilst I kiss ye....
And as the days slip by, lad,
God will know how much I miss ye....
