I Saw Children Playing

I saw children playing, dancing in a ring,Till a voice came calling, calling one away;With sad backward glances she went loitering,Hoping they would miss her and so cease to play.

Pettishly and pouting, “'Tis not time to sleep.”Sobbing and protesting, slowly she did go;But her merry comrades they all run and leap,Feeling not her absence, heeding not her woe.

So as I went chatting through the city's hum,With my old companions laughing on the way,Came a voice low calling, calling me to comeTo my lonely sleeping, leaving work and play.

With sad, mournful glances do I look to seeIf a heart should loving pause and turn asideFrom the happy circles and then come to me,Sighing, “Do not leave us—still with us abide.”

No! they still are playing, chatting in a ring,Eager voices seeking other games to know.Lone I go protesting—hear them laugh and sing,Feeling not my absence, heeding not my woe.