Meaningful Poem

MY LITTLE ONE

I have a son, a little son,
A boy completely fine.
When I see him it seems to me
That all the world is mine.
But seldom, seldom do I see
My child awake and bright;
I only see him when he sleeps;
I am only home at night.
It is early when I leave for work;
When I return, it is late.
Unknown to me is my own flesh,
Unknown is my child's face.
When I come home so wearily
In the darkness after day.
My pale wife exclaims to me:
"You should have seen our child play."
"He sweetly spoke, he smartly asked,
‘Oh, mama, answer me;
When will Papa come and bring
A penny, just for me?' "

I have her speak, I rush within,
Oh, yes, yes, it must be:
My father love is flaring up,
My child must look at me.
I stand beside his little bed,
I look and try to hear.
In his dream he moves his lips:
"Why isn't Papa here?”
I bend and kiss his pale blue eyes
I see them open then;
They look at me; they look at me!
Then they quickly close again.
Your papa's standing very close,
With a penny for my dear.
In his dream he moves his lips:
“Why isn't Papa here?”
I stand depressed, and all my thoughts
Are bitter and heart-sore:
"One day, when you wake, my child,
You'll not see me anymore.”

– Morris Rosenfeld