Alone, alone! - no other face <br />Wears kindred smile, kindred line; <br />And yet they say my mother's eyes. <br />They say my father's brow, is mine; <br />And either had rejected to see <br />The other's likeness in my face, <br />But now it is a stranger's eye, <br />That finds some long forgotten trace. <br /> <br />I heard them name my father's death, <br />His home and tomb alike the wave; <br />And I was early taught to weep, <br />Beside my youthful mother's grave. <br />I wish I could recall one look, - <br />But only one familiar tone; <br />If I had aught of memory, <br />I should not feel so all alone. <br /> <br />My heart is gone beyond the grave, <br />In search of love I cannot find, <br />Till I could fancy soothing words <br />Are whisper'd by the ev'ning wind: <br />I gaze upon the watching stars, <br />So clear, so beautiful above, <br />Till I could dream they look on me <br />With something of an answering love. <br /> <br />My mother! does thy gentle eye <br />Look from those distant stars on me? <br />Or does the wind at ev'ning bear <br />A message to thy child from thee? <br />Dost thou pine for me, as I pine <br />Again a parent's love to share? <br />I often kneel beside thy grave, <br />And pray to be a sleeper there. <br /> <br />The vesper bell! - 'tis eventide, <br />I will not weep, but I will pray: <br />God of the fatherless, 'tis Thou <br />Alone canst be the orphan's stay! <br />Earth's meanest flower, heaven's mightiest star, <br />Are equal to their Maker's love. <br />And I can say, 'Thy will be done,' <br />With eyes that fix their hopes above.<br /><br />Letitia Elizabeth Landon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-orphan-10/
