AN INVOCATION 



Where bright-winged blackbirds flashed like living coals, 



And reed-birds fluted from the swaying grass ; 



There shared I in the laden bee's delight, 



Quivered to see the dark cloud-shadows pass 



Beyond me ; loved and yearned to know the souls 



Of bird and bee and flower, of day and night. 



And so thy worshipper of many years, 



Thy child and servant, who has made no prayer 



For self, who in her eager suit reveres 



And worships but the more, now craves thy care 



For this her child. Endow him with her love 



Of all thy creatures ; make him long to know 



The meaning of thy moods, that he may win 



The later joy that comes when thou dost show 



Thine own self to him ; thus his life shall prove 



In days to come that all of thine are kin. 



Let the blue wonder of those dreamy eyes 

 Grow deeper as they dwell upon that sea 

 Which yields allegiance to the lofty skies 

 In rhythmic swells of tidal harmony ; 

 Their sight be quick for hint of bird or sail 

 Against the distant reach of boundless blue, 

 Or for the throbbing radiance of the star, 

 Or curve of shell, or flower's tender hue, 

 Thy holy places one by one unveil 

 Nor will thy child to worship from afar. 



Thyself translate the Angelus yon thrush 

 Hymns from its tree-top at the twilight hour, 

 And whisper low the secret of the hush 

 Which thrills the forest with its sacred power. 



