To a Star-Flower

DEAR little star-flower abloom at my feet,

What are you waiting for, what is it, Sweet?

Is the ceaseless glare of the sun a pain?

Do you long for a sip of the cool, moist rain?

There are star-flowers, Dear, in the human world,—

Children with angel wings half furled,

Who find like you that the sun shines strong,

Who at times like you for the soft rain long.

There are children, Sweet, of an older age,

Who have watched life’s miracles stage by stage,

To whom the day seems blank and bare,

And the night and the rain-drops sweet and fair.

For the road of pain outstretches long,

The end must come to the sweetest song,

And the only check to the tears we weep

Is the thought that night will come—and sleep!