I saw a mother give wine to her boy- <br />The rain-drops fall and fall: <br />The pride of his parents, a household joy, <br />A mother's blessing, her all. <br /> <br />I saw the cheek of the youth grow red- <br />The rain falls over the lea: <br />The light of his eye shone like jewels, they said: <br />It spoke of ruin to me. <br /> <br />I saw the youth drink again and again- <br />The rain falls heavy and fast: <br />I saw the mother's brow furrowed with pain, <br />She was reaping her harvest at last. <br /> <br />I saw the youth go staggering by- <br />The rain-drops beat and beat: <br />Dulled was the light of his beautiful eye; <br />I saw him fall in the street. <br /> <br />I heard the rabble cry, 'Shame! oh! shame!' <br />The rain-drops sob and sob: <br />I heard the drunkard's once-honored name <br />Shouted aloud by the mob. <br /> <br />I saw the youth carried home to his door- <br />The rain-drops sob and sigh: <br />Saw the friends shun him, who sought him before, <br />Saw him sink lower, and die. <br /> <br />I saw the stone that bore only his name- <br />The rain-drops mutter and rave: <br />I saw the mother with sorrow and shame <br />Bowed to the brink of the grave.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-i-have-seen-1/
