This Green You Brought

STRONG sun shines on the lawns grown thick.
This is the first full summer day;
Children, mysterious at play,
As birds are bright and quick.
But, Father, this small child is sick.
Of summer she is the total all:
On grass the yellowest buttercup,
The light when she looks up,
The sudden near birdcall.
And now she lies so still and small.
To save there are but hands you taught;
Make them all-gentle and all-skilled.
We fear the summer suddenly stilled —
It was our dearest thought
To see her run this green you brought.