Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FIRST STEPS by BURGES JOHNSON

First Line: LIKE A DESERT VAST AND CHEERLESS
Last Line: STURDY LEGS, STEP OUT!
Subject(s): CHILDREN; WALKING; CHILDHOOD;

Like a desert vast and cheerless
Stretch the nurs'ry lands.
Who could gaze with vision fearless
O'er those trackless sands?
Though there waits a shelter peerless—
Mother's reaching hands!

Eyes alight with exultation,
Lips that shape a shout;
Just a flutt'ring hesitation,
Just a sigh of doubt.
Dare—and launch a generation!
Sturdy legs, step out!



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