Children

From The Sun, August 16, 1914. By Lucine Finch

Mother,
Why can’t I see the wind?
My mother,
Why?
I see the sky,
I see the stars,
I can see the fire,
The green ocean
Far as to the sky;
Why can’t I see the wind?
My mother,
Why?

Oh child,
I do not know—
Dear child,
The wind is—
Dear,
I do not know—
Run now, and play.

Mother,
Why can’t I see my thoughts?
My mother,
Why?
Like birds they fly,
I feel them go;
I am the cage,
They are wild birds
Reaching to the sky!
Why can’t I see my thoughts?
My mother,
Why?

Oh, child,
I do not know—
Dear child,
Our thoughts are—
Dear,
I do not know—
Run now, and play.

Mother,
Why can I not see God?
My mother,
Why?
I can see you
And father dear;
I can see people
Oh, everywhere,
All passing by;
Why can I not see God?
My mother,
Why?

Oh, child,
I do not know—
Dear child,
God—God is—
Dear,
I do not know—
Run now, and play.