Dear Father-Mother, I have often heard
In morning's dewy gold, the startled cry
And flutter of some hungry baby bird,
And seen the tender mother swiftly fly
With reassuring comfort to his aid:
How little cause had he to be afraid!
When I, like that small nestling, Father dear,
Grow fretful, or impatient of Thy care,
Remind me that the love which healed his fear
Is present for our comfort everywhere;
And that in peaceful trust we find Thee still,
Not knowing aught beside Thy perfect will.
And thus, dear Father-Mother, I would grow
More tender still to serve Thee, glad and strong;
Like that swift mother bird, so I would show
Love's presence to the heart that suffers wrong.
And, like that fledgling, find my builded nest
Within the present safety of Thy breast.
