Classic Poem

THIS is the baby I love!
The baby that cannot talk;
The baby that cannot walk;
The baby that just begins to creep;
The baby that's cuddled and rocked to sleep;
Oh, this is the baby I love!

This is the baby I love!
The baby that's never cross;
The baby papa can toss;
The baby that crows when held aloft;
The baby that's rosy and round and soft!
Oh, this is the baby I love!

This is the baby I love!
The baby that laughs when I peep
To see is it still asleep;
The baby that coos and frowns and blinks
When left alone — as it sometimes thinks;
Oh, this is the baby I love!

This is the baby I love!
The baby that lies on my knee
And dimples and smiles at me
While I strip it, and bathe it, and kiss it — oh! —
Till with bathing and kissing 'tis all aglow;
Yes, this is the baby I love!

This is the baby I love!
The baby all freshly dressed;
That waking is never at rest;
That plucks at my collar and pulls my hair
Till I look like a witch, but I do not care;
Oh, this is the baby I love!

This is the baby I love!
The baby that understands;
And dances with feet and hands
And a sweet little whinnying eager cry
For the nice warm breakfast that waits it close by;
Oh, this is the baby I love!

This is the baby I love!
The baby that tries to talk;
The baby that longs to walk;
And oh! its mamma will wake some day
To find that her baby has — run away!
My baby — the baby I love!