Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CHILD IN THE GARDEN, by HENRY VAN DYKE Poet's Biography First Line: When to the garden of untroubled thought Last Line: "I am the little child you used to be." Alternate Author Name(s): Civis Americanus Subject(s): Children; Gardens & Gardening; Religion; Childhood; Theology | ||||||||
WHEN to the garden of untroubled thought I came of late, and saw the open door, And wished again to enter, and explore The sweet, wild ways with stainless bloom in- wrought, And bowers of innocence with beauty fraught. It seemed some purer voice must speak before I dared to tread that garden loved of yore, That Eden lost unknown and found unsought. Then just within the gate I saw a child, -- A stranger-child, yet to my heart most dear, -- Who held his hands to me, and softly smiled With eyes that knew no shade of sin or fear: "Come in," he said, and play awhile with me; I am the little child you used to be." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY LITTLE BOATIE'; A SLUMBER SONG FOR THE FISHERMAN'S CHILD by HENRY VAN DYKE |
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