Poems (Dorr)/A Child's Thought
A CHILD'S THOUGHT
Softly fell the twilight; In the glowing westPurple splendors faded; Birds had gone to rest;All the winds were sleeping; One lone whip-poor-willMade the silence deeper, Calling from the hill.
Silently, serenely, From his mother's knee,In the gathering darkness, Still as still could be,A young child watched the shadows; Saw the stars come out;Saw the weird bats flitting Stealthily about;
Saw across the river How the furnace glow,Like a fiery pennant, Wavered to and fro;Saw the tall trees standing Black against the sky,And the moon's pale crescent Swinging far and high.
Deeper grew the darkness Darker grew his eyes As he gazed around him, In a still surprise.Then intently listening, "What is this I hearAll the time, dear mother, Sounding in my ear?"
"I hear nothing," said she, "Earth is hushed and still."But he hearkened, hearkened, With an eager will,Till at length a quick smile O'er the child-face broke,And a kindling lustre In his dark eyes woke.
"Listen, listen, mother! For I hear the soundOf the wheels, the great wheels That move the world around!"Oh, ears earth has dulled not! In your purer sphere,Strains from ours withholden Are you wise to hear?