This poem was written by my father, William Edgar Elliott, in 1965. He wrote it for my brother Billy who had just started Kindergarten. My son Sullivan’s last day of Kindergarten is tomorrow!I’ve never posted any of my father’s poetry on the Internet, but this poem has already been published on the worldwide web (2009). It has meant a lot to our family over the years, and is especially meaningful to me now that I have a growing boy.
Field Day at School | Sully was on the “Camouflage Team” | I love you, forever, Son.
Kindergarten Scholar by William Edgar Elliott
COPYRIGHT 1965 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Infant, infant, shining face
Will you take your destined place
With the small or with the great,
Men of valor, who create?
II
Infant, infant, little one,
You who sleep when day is done~
Rest you well, this carefree night,
The day to come shall bring new light!
III
Kneeling down, I kiss your cheek
Who tomorrow, starts to seek –
Hidden wealth in knowledge land
Secrets too, in grains of sand!
IV
Tucking covers, under chin
This my flesh and blood and kin…
(Fading shade of summer tan!)
Child tonight, tomorrow – a man!
Thanks, ya’ll! My dad was/is pretty special!
How thrilling for Sullivan to have this “infant scholar” poem passed down from his grandfather through his uncle and his mom! Your photo of Sully here just beams with every word of these dear lines.
That’s wonderful Jen, thank you for sharing.