Mamma's Valentine

MAMMA'S VALENTINE

Baby came toddling up to my knee,
His chubby features all aglow,
" Dess I 'se doin' to be 'oor beau,
See what oo' dot from me!"
A valentine from my baby boy!
A crumpled sheet and a homely scrawl,
In a baby hand - that was all -
Yet it filled my heart with joy.

Broken my heart and white my hair,
And my mother's eyes are used to weep;
My little boy is fast asleep
In the churchyard over there.
What shall be mamma's valentine? -
The spirit touch of the baby hand,
A baby voice from the spirit land
Singing a song divine.

Eugene Field.