LITTLE FEET.
(From the Geraldine County Chronicle.) Two little feet, so small that both-may nestle •■■ ■ , ■ . . . In one crossing hand— Two tender feet, upon the untried border Of life'b mysterious land. Dimpled and soft, and pink as peach-tree blossoms In April's fragrant days, ; How can they walk among the briery tangles Edging the world's rough ways ? These rose-white feet along the doubtful future Must bear a woman's load ; Alas! since woman has the heaviest burden, And walks the hardest road. Love, for a while, will make the path before them All dainty, smooth, and fair— Will cull away the brambles, letting only The rose bloom there. But when the mother's watchful eyes were shrouded Away from the light of morning, And those dear feet are left without her guide, Who shall direct them then ? How will they be allured, betrayed, deluded, Poor little untaught feet! Into what dreary mazes will they wander, What dangers will they meet ? Will they go stumbling blindly in the darkness Of sorrow's tearful shades ? Or find the upland slopes of peace and beauty, Whose sunlight never fades ? Will they go toiling up ambition's summit, The common world above ? Or in some nameless vale, securely sheltered, Walk side by side with Love ? Some feet there be which walk life's track unwounded, Which find but pleasant ways; Some hearts there be to which this life is only A round of happy days. But they are few. Far more there are to wander Without a hope or friend, Who find their journey full of pains and losses, And long to reach the end. How shall it be with her, that tender • stranger ? Fair-faced and gentle-eyed, Before whose unstained feet the world's rude highway Stretches so strange and wide ! Ah ! who may read the future ? For my darling We crave all blessings eweet, And pray that he who feeds the crying ravens Will guide the baby's feet. Florence Percy.
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Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 342, 28 October 1879, Page 3
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319LITTLE FEET. Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 342, 28 October 1879, Page 3
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