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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLADE OF THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT, by BURGES JOHNSON Poet's Biography
First Line: The furrow's long behind my plow
Last Line: I love the little things that count!
Subject(s): Children; Counting; Childhood
First Line: The furrow's long behind my plow
Last Line: I love the little things that count!
Subject(s): Children; Counting; Childhood
The furrow's long behind my plow—
My field is strewn with stones of care,
And trouble gathers thick enow
As years add silver to my hair.
Could I an easier path prepare
For baby feet that start to mount?—
Save them a bit of wear and tear,—
And show the little things that count?
I see a tiny maiden bow
O'er slate and pencil, in her chair:
A little pucker on her brow,
A little tousle in her hair.
And one wee tear has fallen where
The crooked figures grin and flount;
My heart goes reaching to her there—
I love the little things that count!
Arithmetic is such a slough—
A pilgrim's swamp of dull despair,
But Discipline will not allow
My hand to point a thoro'fare.
Harsh figures face us everywhere,
O'erwhelming in their vast amount;
Must she so soon their burden bear?—
I love the little things that count!
Stern Teacher, must she ever fare
Alone to Learning's chilly fount?
There is so much I long to share—
I love the Little Things That Count!
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
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CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL
COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL
THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL
A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL
CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS
ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE
THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE
A BABY AT THE PARTY by BURGES JOHNSON