Poems (Piatt)/Volume 2/Answering a Child
< Poems (Piatt) | Volume 2
ANSWERING A CHILD.
But if I should ask the king?—
He could if he would? Ah, no.
Though he took from his hand the ring,
Though he took from his head the crown—
In the dust I should lay them down.
He could if he would? Ah, no.
Though he took from his hand the ring,
Though he took from his head the crown—
In the dust I should lay them down.
If I sat at a fairy's feet I—
A fairy could if she would?
(Oh, the fairy-faith is sweet!)
Though she gave me her wand and her wings,
To me they were pitiful things.
A fairy could if she would?
(Oh, the fairy-faith is sweet!)
Though she gave me her wand and her wings,
To me they were pitiful things.
Ask God—He can if He will—
He is better than fairies or kings?
(Ask God?—He would whisper: "Be still.")
Though He gave me each star I can see
Through my tears—it were nothing to me.
He is better than fairies or kings?
(Ask God?—He would whisper: "Be still.")
Though He gave me each star I can see
Through my tears—it were nothing to me.
"He can do"——— But He cannot undo
The terrible darkened gate
Which the fire of His will went through,
Leading the Dead away. . . .
For the Past it is vain to pray!
The terrible darkened gate
Which the fire of His will went through,
Leading the Dead away. . . .
For the Past it is vain to pray!