"Mother's Treasures," a poem by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Mother's Treasures

By Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

     Two little children sit by my side,

         I call them Lily and Daffodil;

     I gaze on them with a mother's pride,

         One is Edna, the other is Will.

     Both have eyes of starry light,

         And laughing lips o'er teeth of pearl.

     I would not change for a diadem

        My noble boy and darling girl.

     To-night my heart o'erflows with joy;

         I hold them as a sacred trust;

     I fain would hide them in my heart,

         Safe from tarnish of moth and rust.

     What should I ask for my dear boy?

         The richest gifts of wealth or fame?

     What for my girl? A loving heart

         And a fair and a spotless name?

     What for my boy? That he should stand

         A pillar of strength to the state?

     What for my girl? That she should be

         The friend of the poor and desolate?

     I do not ask they shall never tread

         With weary feet the paths of pain.

     I ask that in the darkest hour

         They may faithful and true remain.

     I only ask their lives may be

         Pure as gems in the gates of pearl,

     Lives to brighten and bless the world -

         This I ask for my boy and girl.

     I ask to clasp their hands again

         'Mid the holy hosts of heaven,

     Enraptured say: "I am here, oh! God,

         "And the children Thou hast given."

*This poem is found in public domain.