 | Poems (1865) |  |
XXXII. GUESSING.
Childhood is the time for guessing!
Every morning brings unbidden
Some sweet gift half shown, half hidden;
Some kind promise seldom broken,
Some bright wondrous fairy token.
Oh, what stores are thine of blessing!
Oh, what joy is thine in guessing
At the hiding, at the showing
Of life's daily miracle!
Secrets in the wild rose blowing!
Shut within the cowslip's bell!
Every morning brings unbidden
Some sweet gift half shown, half hidden;
Some kind promise seldom broken,
Some bright wondrous fairy token.
Oh, what stores are thine of blessing!
Oh, what joy is thine in guessing
At the hiding, at the showing
Of life's daily miracle!
Secrets in the wild rose blowing!
Shut within the cowslip's bell!
Youth! thou art the time for guessing!
Life before thine eager eyes
Holds each day some gentle prize;
And for thee, with fond caressing,
Still prepares some bright surprise;
Bids thee guess, and for thy pleasure
Hides 'mid flowers and leaves a treasure,
Gleaming golden; and with “Follow,
Follow,” o'er the sun-lit hill
Lures thee, and through darkening hollow,
With a heart untiring still.
Life before thine eager eyes
Holds each day some gentle prize;
And for thee, with fond caressing,
Still prepares some bright surprise;
Bids thee guess, and for thy pleasure
Hides 'mid flowers and leaves a treasure,
Gleaming golden; and with “Follow,
Follow,” o'er the sun-lit hill
Lures thee, and through darkening hollow,
With a heart untiring still.
Life, what bringest thou for guessing,
In thy long, calm, after-day?
Ever on our journey pressing,
Known to us both end and way.
Thou no more with us wilt play
At “hiding, seeking!” Gone thy pleasing
Wiles, with all thy cheating, teazing;
Bring us now some steadfast blessing,
Keep it firm within our hold,
For our hearts have done with guessing,
And thy secrets all are told!
In thy long, calm, after-day?
Ever on our journey pressing,
Known to us both end and way.
Thou no more with us wilt play
At “hiding, seeking!” Gone thy pleasing
Wiles, with all thy cheating, teazing;
Bring us now some steadfast blessing,
Keep it firm within our hold,
For our hearts have done with guessing,
And thy secrets all are told!
Dora Greenwell.
| Poems (1865) | |