Weighing the Baby

Ethelinda Elliott Beers (Ethel Lynn) (1827–1879)

“HOW many pounds does the baby weigh—

Baby who came but a month ago?

How many pounds from the crowning curl

To the rosy point of the restless toe?”

Grandfather ties the ’kerchief knot,

Tenderly guides the swinging weight,

And carefully over his glasses peers

To read the record, “Only eight.”

Softly the echo goes around:

The father laughs at the tiny girl;

The fair young mother sings the words,

While grandmother smooths the golden curl.

And stooping above the precious thing,

Nestles a kiss within a prayer,

Murmuring softly “Little one,

Grandfather did not weigh you fair.”

Nobody weighed the baby’s smile,

Or the love that came with the helpless one;

Nobody weighed the threads of care,

From which a woman’s life is spun.

No index tells the mighty worth

Of a little baby’s quiet breath—

A soft, unceasing metronome,

Patient and faithful until death.

Nobody weighed the baby’s soul,

For here on earth no weights there be

That could avail; God only knows

Its value in eternity.

Only eight pounds to hold a soul

That seeks no angel’s silver wing,

But shrines it in this human guise,

Within so frail and small a thing!

Oh, mother! laugh your merry note,

Be gay and glad, but don’t forget

From baby’s eyes looks out a soul

That claims a home in Eden yet.