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.
