Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CREEPING UP THE STAIRS, by W. S. MCFETRIDGE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CREEPING UP THE STAIRS, by                    
First Line: In the soft falling twilight
Last Line: After creeping up the stairs.
Subject(s): Children; Childhood


IN the soft falling twilight
Of a weary, weary day,
With a quiet step I entered
Where the children were at play;
I was brooding o'er some trouble
Which had met me unawares,
When a little voice came ringing:
"Me is creeping up the stairs."

Ah, it touched the tenderest heart-strings
With a breath and force divine,
And such melodies awakened,
As no wording can define.
And I turned to see our darling, --
All forgetful of my cares,
When I saw the little creature
Slowly creeping up the stairs.

Step by step she slowly clambered
On her little hands and knees,
Keeping up a constant chatter,
Like a magpie in the trees,
Till at last she reached the topmost,
When, o'er all her world's affairs,
She, delighted, stood a victor
After creeping up the stairs.

Fainting heart, behold an image
Of man's brief and struggling life,
Whose best prizes must be captured
With a noble, earnest strife;
Onward, upward, reaching ever,
Bending to the weight of cares,
Hoping, fearing, still expecting,
We go creeping up the stairs.

On their steps may be no carpet,
By their side may be no rail,
Hands and knees may often pain us,
And the heart may almost fail;
Still above there is the glory
Which no sinfulness impairs,
With its rest and joy forever,
After creeping up the stairs.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net