Do you remember the name I wore— <br /> <br />The old pet-name of Little Queen— <br /> <br />In the dear, dead days that are no more, <br /> <br />The happiest days of our lives, I ween? <br /> <br />For we loved with that passionate love of youth <br /> <br />That blesses but once with its perfect bliss— <br /> <br />A love that, in spite of its trust and truth, <br /> <br />Seems never to thrive in a world like this. <br /> <br />I lived for you, and you lived for me; <br /> <br />All was centered in 'Little Queen;' <br /> <br />And never a thought in our hearts had we <br /> <br />That strife or trouble could come between. <br /> <br />What utter sinking of self it was! <br /> <br />How little we cared for the world of men! <br /> <br />For love's fair kingdom and love's sweet laws <br /> <br />Were all of the world and life to us then. <br /> <br />But a love like ours was a challenge to Fate; <br /> <br />She rang down the curtain and shifted the scene; <br /> <br />Yet sometimes now, when the day grows late, <br /> <br />I can hear you calling for Little Queen; <br /> <br />For a happy home and a busy life <br /> <br />Can never wholly crowd out our past; <br /> <br />In the twilight pauses that come from strife, <br /> <br />You will think of me while life shall last. <br /> <br />And however sweet the voice of fame <br /> <br />May sing to me of a great world's praise, <br /> <br />I shall long sometimes for the old pet-name <br /> <br />That you gave to me in the dear, dead days; <br /> <br />And nothing the angel band can say, <br /> <br />When I reach the shores of the great Unseen, <br /> <br />Can please me so much as on that day <br /> <br />To hear your greeting of 'Little Queen.'<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/little-queen-3/
