BIRTHDAY
Today that earliest miracle
Comes to my memory again—
Of thirty years ago, when first
I breathed, in the old way of men.
Comes to my memory again—
Of thirty years ago, when first
I breathed, in the old way of men.
Out of a woman's agony,
Out of a loving—and a pain—
I budded forth, to take my fill
Of the earth's excellent domain.
Out of a loving—and a pain—
I budded forth, to take my fill
Of the earth's excellent domain.
There was a time I was not I,
But alien things, that clung and blent . . .
Now I have grown, and trod the dust,
And I am weary . . . and content.
But alien things, that clung and blent . . .
Now I have grown, and trod the dust,
And I am weary . . . and content.
For I have seen the miracle
Here in my own home's dear domain—
Another life, my first-born, bud
Out of a loving—and a pain.
Here in my own home's dear domain—
Another life, my first-born, bud
Out of a loving—and a pain.
September 1st, 1918
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