Poems (Merrill)/When Daddy Rocks the Kid

by Clara A. Merrill

WHEN DADDY ROCKS THE KID

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Little daughter, fair and sweet
 With dainty baby charms;
Making every joy complete
 As from mamma's arms
      Very tenderly she's laid;—
       (Mamma's smiles are hid—
      Sees the queer maneuvers made
       When daddy rocks the kid!)

Darling, winsome as can be—
 Blossom sweet and rare;
Hears the tuneful melody
 From the rocking chair.
      Never heard such songs before,—
       (And guess he never did)
      Language new—and tunes galore.
       When daddy rocks the kid!

Though forty times, ere day is done,
 From work he homeward comes;
To hold his precious little one
 And see it suck its thumbs—
      Mamma, e'er with loving glance
       Sees new charms amid
      The beauties. Which the joys enhance
       When daddy rocks the kid!

When daddy rocks the kid to sleep
 He banishes all care;
And o'er his visage smiles will creep—
 Contentment's written there.
      No worldly sorrows cast their shade
       But vanish as they're bid.—
      A pleasing picture thus is made
       When daddy rocks the kid!