Dear Little, Queer Little Man

Dear little, queer little man, With his hair all a tumble of curls, With a light in his eyes Like the blue of the skies When the dawn’s rosy banner unfurls! Sweet little, fleet little man, Who fills all the house with his toys, Whose laugh has the truth Of the heart of his youth: A toast to the health of our boys!

Dear little, queer little man, With a big, paper cap on his head, And a sword at his side As he gets up to ride On his hobby-horse, gaudy and red! Play, little, gay little man; Fill all of the house with your noise, For, oh, it were ill If your laughter were still! A toast to the laughter of boys!

Dear little, queer little man, With dreams of the future to be, When he shall grow tall And shall care for us all, His mother, his sister and me! Brave little, grave little man, With thoughts, like his youth, incomplete, But bearing the seed That shall blossom and lead To manhood all gracious and sweet.

Dear little, queer little man, Whose heart is so boyish and pure, May the sweetness and truth That are flowers of youth Through all of your being endure! Play, little, gay little man; Fill all of the house with your noise, For, oh, what so sweet As the pattering feet And the echoing laughter of boys?

Dear little, queer little man, The light of the dawn’s rosy beams Be evermore spread On your dear, curly head, And truth to your innocent dreams! Blest little, best little man, God keep you as pure as the truth That lingers and lies In the light of your eyes: Long life to the heart of your youth!