Once, on a long-gone evening, you and I Walked quietly beneath the cinnabars, Orchids and lapis of a sunset sky, And watched the lighting, one by one, of stars. A score of childish questions brought a smile Upon your Pan-like mouth that rarely smiled, And lifting me upon the broken stile, Your mind went questing words to suit a child: You said, "The stars are stepping stones to God, And this, our little world that seems so great, Is just another -- one that must be trod And left for others' footing -- soon or late --" "But stars seem far apart for stepping stones! I think we'll need the Giant's seven-league boots." "Yes. Seven-league boots -- and all your father owns Are something less than Average Size computes." Ten years you've journeyed, and I have no way Of knowing how time's measured where you are; Whether you've passed Orion and Er Rai Or stand upon some yet undreamed-of star; Wherever you are, I send this word to you By wind or passing meteor or flame: The ignorant child who begged the planets' story Has learned, at last, your wistful allegory, And has no doubt you've kept each rendezvous Punctually, despite your being -- lame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SOUTH COUNTRY by HILAIRE BELLOC SONNET: 57 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE REMINISCENCE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH MARSH MUSIC by KENNETH SLADE ALLING CALMNESS OF THE SUBLIME by PHILIP JAMES BAILEY THE 'MONSTRE' BALLOON by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM DOG AND CAT by RUTH ANDERSON BARNETT |