Five Kisses by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

THE MOTHER'S KISS I

Love breathed a secret to her listening heart, / And said "Be silent. " Though she guarded it, / And dwelt as one within a world apart, / Yet sun and star seemed by that secret lit. / And where she passed, each whispering wind ablow, / And every little blossom in the sod, / Called joyously to her, "We know, we know, / For are we not the intimates of God? " / Life grew so radiant, and so opulent, / That when her fragile body and her brain / By mortal throes of agony were rent, / She felt a curious rapture in her pain. / Then, after anguish, came the supreme bliss- / They brought the little baby, for her kiss!

THE BETROTHAL II

There was a little pause between the dances; / Without, somewhere, a tinkling fountain played. / The dusky path was lit by ardent glances / As forth they fared, a lover and a maid. / He chose a nook, from curious eyes well hidden- / All redolent with sweet midsummer charm, / And by the great primeval instinct bidden, / He drew her in the shelter of his arm. / The words that long deep in his heart had trembled / Found sudden utterance; she at first dissembled, / Refused her lips, and half withdrew her hand, / Then murmured "Yes," and yielded, woman fashion, / Her virgin mouth to young love's kiss of passion.

THE BRIDAL KISS III

As fleecy clouds trail back across the skies, / Showing the sweet young moon in azure space, / The lifted veil revealed her shining face- / A sudden wonder to his eager eyes. / In that familiar beauty lurked surprise: / For now the wife stood in the maiden's place- / With conscious dignity, and woman's grace, / And love's large pride grown trebly fair and wise.

The world receded, leaving them alone. / The universe was theirs, from sphere to sphere, / And life assumed new meaning, and new worth. / Love held no privilege they did not own, / And when they kissed each other without fear, / They understood why God had made the earth.

DOMESTIC BLISS IV

Sequestered in their calm domestic bower, / They sat together. He in manhood's prime / And she a matron in her fullest flower. / The mantel clock gave forth a warning chime. / She put her work aside; his bright cigar / Grew pale, and crumbled in an ashen heap. / The lights went out, save one remaining star / That watched beside the children in their sleep. / She hummed a little song and nestled near, / As side by side they went to their repose. / His arm about her waist, he whispered "Dear," / And pressed his lips upon her mouth's full rose- / The sacred sweetness of their wedded life / Breathed in that kiss of husband and of wife.

OLD AGE V

The young see heaven-but to the old who wait / The final call, the hills of youth arise / More beautiful than shores of Paradise. / Beside a glowing and voracious grate / A dozing couple dream of yesterday; / The islands of a vanished past appear, / Bringing forgotten names and faces near; / While lost in mist, the present fades away. / The fragrant winds of tender memories blow / Across the gardens of the "Used-to-be! " / They smile into each other's eyes, and see / The bride and bridegroom of the long ago. / And tremulous lips, pressed close to faded cheek / Love's silent tale of deathless passion speak.