Robert Kirkland Kernighan Poems

If Peepy had lived,' the mother sighed,
'He'd be of age to-day.'
She bowed her head as she softly cried
The head that was turning grey.
...

My sandalled feet are firm and fleet,
My chariot wheels are splendid ;
I rush and run before the sun
With balmy breezes blended ;
...

I hush the wail along my trail
Past hamlet, home and hollow,
While on I go with noiseless flow
And robin red-breasts follow.
...

A Lonely widow, generous and kind,
And still withal a poor and friendless creature,
Was much amazed and greatly pleased one day
To get a visit from the district preacher.
...

The baby is dead, but its mother's
Sweet eyes with a radiance shine
As she says in a whisper, ' No fingers
Shall touch it or dress it but mine.
...

I'll dress it in white like the angels
That wait for my darling above.
' Oh, pity me not, for my bosom
Is thrilled with a wondrous delight,
...

I'll steal the breath of the opening leaf
And breathe it against your cheek ;
I'll steal the scent of the autumn sheaf
For thee, oh maiden meek ;
...

' 'Twas a long, long winter,' said the Bug,
' But I didn't have to eat,
And in the wraps of Nature's rug

I slumbered calm and sweet.
...

Reader, have you got a wife?
Kiss her ev'ry day.
'Tis the duty of your life
To kiss her ev'ry day.
...

Spring or autumn, never whine,
For your own good name.
Sometimes she '11 be cross and cold,
Never mind, she 's good as gold
...