Who Knows?

Who knows the thoughts of a child, The angel unreconciled To the new strange world that lies Outstretched to its wondering eyes? Who knows if a piteous fear, Too deep for a sob or a tear, Is beneath that breathless gaze Of sudden and swift amaze,— Some fear from the dim unknown, Some shadow like black mist blown Across the heavenly ray Of this new-come dawning day? But the smile which as sudden and swift Breaks through the shadowy rift,— From what far heaven or near, What unseen blissful sphere, Comes the smile of a little child, This angel unreconciled To the new, strange world that lies Outstretched to its wondering eyes?

Collection: 
English
Nora Perry

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