O MOTHER, listen! Was I once a bird? Did my bright wings glisten? Have I ever heard, When the dusk was falling, The clear, far note Of another bird, calling? O listen, mother! Was I once a bee? Sometime or other Was life to me Just a purple clover, With glow-worm stars When day was over? O mother, hold me! What have I been That you have not told me? What have I seen, 'Twixt a dream and waking, That has left in my heart This beautiful aching? |