KISSES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1616, 2 October 1874, Page 377

KISSES.

“ Are kisses spirits, mother '! ” Little Walter asks, Pausing great dark earnest eyes To others, blue as summer skies, That brighten for her eager boy. Through her life of hope and joy, And tender woman tasks. Fearless little questioner, What knows he of kisses ! Save caresses soft and sweet, Each fresh hour of life to greet; Blessing kiss of sire and mother, Clasp of sister, hug of brother; Thanks for baby blisses. Happy cherished darling, He nor knows nor cares, Of passionate lips that press in vain On those that cannot glow again ; Of wild despairing kisses prest, On damp sods where our idols rest, ’Mid sad unanswered prayers. Can true-hearted childhood Guess such things can be, As kiss ’tween secret foe and foe, As hands that clasp o’er gulfs below, As kisses with no loving leaven, Coldly taken, idly given, In customary courtesy 1 Can frank-hearted childhood Dream that kindred lips, Lips that have met a thousand times, Warm and true as poets’ rhymes, May for each other learn to frame Scorn or hatred, mock or blame, Love’s unwarned eclipse 1 Dim not childhold’s golden faith With such love as this is ; Let him trust the gladness round, Trust the love as birthright found ; Soon, too soon, the world will teach, Stings may lurk in honeyed speech, Treason hide in kisses.