Classic Poem

The first few weeks she never knew
The faces of the people who
Came flocking round her crib by day;
She looked at them the self-same way;
She treated all with cold disdain,
And recognized but hunger's pain.
We watched and wondered all the while
Just when our babe would learn to smile.

" She is too small, " the mother said,
The while I stood above her bed
And hoped to see those big blue eyes
Light up with wonder and surprise.
" The world is all so strange and new,
She has not grown accustomed to
This curious earth, but by and by
You'll see a twinkle in her eye. "

And then one morning when we woke
The mother looked at her and spoke,
And something marvelous took place —
A smile lit up the baby's face;
A smile! As radiant to see
As blossoms on a cherry tree!
A smile to us much brighter, far,
Than morning sun or evening star.

I fancy while that night we slept
An angel to her cradle crept
And touched those little lips and eyes
With brushes dipped in summer skies
And golden liquid from the sun,
And taught her how the smile is done.
At least I'm telling all the while
That's how our baby learned to smile.