| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 878. A Living Memory |
| | | By William Augustus Croffut |
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| MY absent daughter—gentle, gentle maid, | |
| Your life doth never fade! | |
| O, everywhere I see your blue eyes shine, | |
| And on my heart, in healing or command, | |
| I feel the pressure of your small, warm hand | 5 |
| That slipped at dawn, almost without a sign, | |
| So softly out of mine! | |
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| The birds all sing of you, my darling one; | |
| Your day was just begun, | |
| But you had learned to love all things that grew; | 10 |
| And when I linger by the streamlet ’s side | |
| Where weed and bush to you were glorified, | |
| The violet looks up as if it knew, | |
| And talks to me of you. | |
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| The lily dreams of you. The pensive rose | 15 |
| Reveals you where it glows | |
| In purple trance above the waterfall; | |
| The fragrant fern rejoices by the pond, | |
| And sets your dear face in its feathery frond; | |
| The winds blow chill, but, sounding over all, | 20 |
| I hear your sweet voice call! | |
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| My gentle daughter! With us you have stayed. | |
| Your life doth never fade! | |
| O, evermore I see your blue eyes shine. | |
| In subtle moods I cannot understand, | 25 |
| I feel the flutter of your tender hand | |
| That slipped at dawn, almost without a sign, | |
| So softly out of mine! | |
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