Poems (Carmichael)/Allie's Prayer

by Sarah Elizabeth Carmichael

ALLIE'S PRAYER.

We listened—'t was a little foot,
 Placed lightly on the stairs;
"What is it, darling?"—"I forgot—
 Forgot to say my prayers."
The mother took the little hand,
 And kissed the meek, low brow,
And watched the tiny, white-robed form,
 Close down beside her bow.
Ah! pride-chilled hearts were beating near,
 World-darkened eyes were there;
But every head was bowed to hear
 Sweet Allie's baby prayer.

And I have knelt where holy words
 By earnest lips were spoke;
Have felt the burning gush of thought
 Their eloquence awoke;
Have listened when the pleader's voice
 Sank quivering to a sigh,
And I have bowed my head and thought
 'T were beautiful to die;
But never have I seen the awe
 Whose robes were folded there—
Whose stainless fingers wove the threads
 Of Allie's baby prayer.

It went away—that little foot—
 As lightly as it came;
The sweet lips spoke a low "Good night,"
 And syllabled a name,
And then a glimpse of sunny hair
 Flashed through the open door;
We caught a glimpse of the white robe
 The angel pleader wore.
Then eye met eye, and souls bowed down
 In deep contrition there;
Stern hearts were melted by the breath
 Of Allie's baby prayer.