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A baby born in January arrives during one of the quietest seasons of the year. The trees are bare, flowers are hidden, and winter still has a firm hold on the world. Yet in this delightful poem, Wilhelmina Stitch reminds us that before the baby's first birthday, the seasons will change and the world will be filled with blossoms, birdsong, and sunshine.
Written with warmth and hope, these verses celebrate both the changing seasons and the wonderful milestones of a baby's first year. It is a lovely poem to share with parents of a January baby or to include in a birthday keepsake as a reminder that every new life begins with hope and promise.
Updated July 22, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Although, small one, you cannot speak,
Doubtless you have this thought in mind -
The world you've reached is bare and bleak
And harsh of breath and far from kind.
But do not fret, my little one,
For soon a wondrous change you'll see;
And long before your legs can run
There will be leaves on every tree.
And long before your lips let fall
Such singing words as "Mum" and "Dad"
You'll hear the cuckoo's human call -
"Cuckoo, dear you, Cuckoo. Be glad."
When you can wave your arms about
And with your hands make magic passes,
The lilac blossom will be out
And daffodils dance with the grasses.
Ah, babe! though this bleak month you chose
In which to reach your mother's arms,
At six months old you'll see a rose -
A replica of your sweet charms.
You'll watch all nature turn to gold,
And then when this bleak month returns,
You'll have a cake, dear One-year-old,
On which a little candle burns.
Continue celebrating the joy of babies, family, birthdays, and poetry with these thoughtful pages.
“To A January Baby” reminds us that a quiet winter beginning can lead to a year filled with beauty, growth, and joyful milestones. As the seasons change, the baby will grow, discover the world, and bring many treasured memories to the family. The poem leaves us with the happy picture of a first birthday candle and a wonderful year of love to celebrate.
Read more Wilhelmina Stitch Poems filled with warmth, wisdom, and encouragement.