Since You Came

I’ve studied earth and seas and skies,

     Read masters old and new;

I’ve often thought me very wise,

     And very learned, too.

But when I look into your eyes,

     My little nestling dear,

And ponder o’er the hows and whys,

     I’m ignorant, I fear.

I’ve tried to walk the Christian way,

     But O, so oft have failed;

‘Tis hard, wee one, to sin withstay

     On every side assailed.

And oft I think I’ve conquered grace,

     Then heaven seemeth near;

But when I look into your face,

     I’m very bad, I fear.

Ah, yes, I fear I thought me wise,

     And very good the same;

But, dear, I had not seen your eyes,

     It was before you came.

But shall my striving be for ill –

     No further effort make?

Ah, yes, I must grow better still

     My darling, for your sake.

Dec. 9, ‘97

Pub. in Little Joker and

Storyist for Apr. ‘98