The First Steps

Last night I held my arms to

And you held yours to

And started out to march to

As any soldier fine.

You lifted up your little

And laughingly advanced;

And I stood there and gazed

Your first wee steps, entranced.

You gooed and gurgled as you

Without a sign of fear;

As though you knew, your journey o'er,

I'd greet you with a cheer.

And, what is more, you seemed to know,

Although you are so small,

That I was there, with eager arms,

To save you from a fall.

Three tiny steps you took, and then,

Disaster and dismay!

Your over-confidence had

Your little feet astray.

You did not see what we could

Nor fear what us alarms;

You stumbled, but ere you could fallI caught you in my arms.

You little tyke, in days to

You'll bravely walk alone,

And you may have to wander

Where dangers lurk unknown.

And,

Oh,

I pray that then, as now,

When accidents

You'll still remember that I'm

To save you from a fall.

This version taken from Just Folks by Edgar A

Published by The Reilly & Lee Co.,

Chicago,

Pages 85-86