The Departing Child
You stole the sunlight from the dawn
The jewels from the morning dew
The diamonds from the bitter frost
You took away with you.
You stole the freshness from the breeze
The silver whisper from the stream,
The breath was silent in the leaves
You melted on a parting dream.
You came without a name or care,
You stole the hearts where you belong.
We hardly knew that you were there
Till we awoke and you were gone.
The nest was left with feathered down
Where birds took flight and wheeled the sky
The faltered wings grew firm and strong
Where far away they learned to fly.