A SWEET white flower peeped Up from a glade, Laughingly tossed its bell To the breeze that played, Shrinkingly drooped and fell; -- Why did it fade? The river rolled; a beam Just glanced aside, Making a thousand gems As it touched the tide; Hid in a darkling cloud; -- Why did it hide? A mother watched her child At play hard by, Dreamt his fair future through So lovingly, At nightfall saw him die: -- Oh! why? Oh! why? Tell me why sunshine pales And disappears? Why are there faded flowers And mothers' tears? Why are there babies' graves? And wasted years? One who hath spelt his way To some great thought, Through many a cloudy day And fight hard fought, -- One who has learnt the law, For ever one, That tunes the children's mirth And lights the sun, -- One with a purpose pure As summer sky, Whose human will with fate Makes harmony, -- One who hath skill to scan The sole vast-hearted plan That blends all men in man, -- May whisper why. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MERCILES BEAUTE; A TRIPLE ROUNDEL: 2. REJECTION by GEOFFREY CHAUCER IN THE SHADOWS: 20 by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861) ON LIBERTY AND SLAVERY by GEORGE MOSES HORTON IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 124 by ALFRED TENNYSON I HAVE SEEN by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS |