Since you were so young, child, I shall <br />Not fear your noon or even-fall, <br />Nor dread you are taken unawares, <br />Nor weary Heaven with many prayers. <br /> <br />I shall not wake at night afraid <br />Of where your darling head is laid, <br />Nor say: 'He finds the wind too rough, <br />Dear God!' for now the wind's left off. <br /> <br />I shall have ease though lightnings leap, <br />Nor hear the thunder in my sleep, <br />Nor dread the crying of the seas, <br />Nor any mountain precipice. <br /> <br />God pity her who lies awake <br />Unquiet for some darling sake! <br />Soft sleeps my little son to-night, <br />Where many stars make candlelight! <br /> <br />His sword is laid beside his knees; <br />God knows my little son hath ease -- <br />And I, his mother, may go sleep <br />And pray for them who wake and weep.<br /><br />Katharine Tynan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-young-soldier-2/
