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Poem
December 7, 1840
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A child speaks to their mother about their deceased little brother's cold stillness, questioning death and finding solace in the idea that his spirit remains with loved ones through faith and love.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Friendship's Offering, for 1841.
MY BROTHER.
Is this my little brother?
How cold he is and still.
Do take him up, dear mother!
Is he not very ill?
No no! my child, the dear one
Will suffer no more pain,
'Tis death makes him so silent:
He will not move again.
Not hold his little arms out
Nor make that pleasant noise!
Nor open wide his tiny hand
To take the pretty toys.
"Twas little brother's spirit
Which made him laugh and play
That which you loved you see not,
— There's nothing here but clay.
Why do you weep, then, mother?
You said the other day.
To die was only going home:
Did brother want to stay?
Will God love to see him,
And show him pretty things?
And if he cries to come to you,
Won't he give him little wings?
He has not gone away, child:
If we love him with our hearts,
His spirit will stay with us,
When this little form departs.
If you are good and gentle,
He will always be with you;
And I will try to grieve no more,
If you are kind and true.
I"—I'll kiss no more those lips;
Then we will go away;
And God will give us happy thoughts,
If we ask him when we pray.
Mary.
From the Friendship's Offering, for 1841.
MY BROTHER.
Is this my little brother?
How cold he is and still.
Do take him up, dear mother!
Is he not very ill?
No no! my child, the dear one
Will suffer no more pain,
'Tis death makes him so silent:
He will not move again.
Not hold his little arms out
Nor make that pleasant noise!
Nor open wide his tiny hand
To take the pretty toys.
"Twas little brother's spirit
Which made him laugh and play
That which you loved you see not,
— There's nothing here but clay.
Why do you weep, then, mother?
You said the other day.
To die was only going home:
Did brother want to stay?
Will God love to see him,
And show him pretty things?
And if he cries to come to you,
Won't he give him little wings?
He has not gone away, child:
If we love him with our hearts,
His spirit will stay with us,
When this little form departs.
If you are good and gentle,
He will always be with you;
And I will try to grieve no more,
If you are kind and true.
I"—I'll kiss no more those lips;
Then we will go away;
And God will give us happy thoughts,
If we ask him when we pray.
Mary.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Brother Death
Child Mourning
Religious Consolation
Sibling Spirit
Faith Comfort
What entities or persons were involved?
Mary
Poem Details
Title
My Brother
Author
Mary
Subject
A Child's Questions On Little Brother's Death
Key Lines
Is This My Little Brother?
How Cold He Is And Still.
Do Take Him Up, Dear Mother!
Is He Not Very Ill?
Why Do You Weep, Then, Mother?
You Said The Other Day.
To Die Was Only Going Home:
Did Brother Want To Stay?
He Has Not Gone Away, Child:
If We Love Him With Our Hearts,
His Spirit Will Stay With Us,
When This Little Form Departs.