Precious ones

 Rock a bye

john clare

Before we have the time to learn

the lines to that little lullaby 

Before the high chair and toys are

stored in the shed

Before even the waking to the crying

is forgotten from the spindled bed,

"Rock a bye baby in the tree top"

Too soon  we are standing in

December winds

Lamenting the bough has broken

and over our precious ones we bend

then look sadly up that tree hushed

not a word spoken.

It was such a strong tree!

And wasn't it but a gentle breeze?

How could baby and cradle fall?

Who left baby alone after all?

Oh! Trust not the strength in trees

or even the gentle south breeze

They will deceive and send baby falling!

Listen long for all about in the wind

Seen in the squint of eyes

The broken lines of faces

Weary from sleepless nights.

Watch for the cradles ever swinging

dangerously out

Reach the hand to stave the 

winds pulling

Reach for the little ones in cradles of

trees falling

Out upon the rotting limbs

Swaying precious ones

in the winds.