OUT in the midsummer sunshine, Out in the golden light, Merrily helping the gardener, Ever so busy and bright,— With tiny barrow and rake and hoe, Helena flitted to and fro. But the midsummer sun rose higher Over the flowery spot; 'I must rest a little now,' she said, 'I am so tired and hot. Oh, let me come to you, and look At the pictures in your beautiful book.' Why we should leave the sunny lawn She did not understand, But cheerily, trustfully, Helena laid In mine, her little brown hand, And I led her away to a shady room, To rest in the coolness and the gloom. For she could not have seen the pictures Out in that dazzling light; The book was there with its colors fair, But the sunshine was too bright. But in the shade I could let her look At the pictures in my beautiful book. 'I have never seen them before,' she said, 'I am so glad I came! And the gardener will manage the flowers, I think, Without me, just the same! And I need not trouble at all, you know, About my barrow and rake and hoe.' So page after page was gently turned, As I showed her one by one, And told her what the pictures meant, Till the beautiful book was done. And @3then@1—I shall not soon forget The loving kiss of my tiny pet. And @3now@1—I shall not soon forget The lesson she had taught, How from the sunshine into the shade God's little ones are brought, That they may see what He could not show Among the flowers in the summer glow. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PHILOMELA: PHILOMELA'S ODE [THAT SHE SANG IN HER ARBOR] by ROBERT GREENE ETHIOPIA SALUTING THE COLORS by WALT WHITMAN KINDNESS TO ANIMALS by JOSEPH ASHBY-STERRY STANZAS TO AN AFFECTIONATE AND PIOUS PARENT, ON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD by BERNARD BARTON THE LAST MAN: ROSILY DYING by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES PSALM 114 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE ASPIRATIONS: 2 by MATHILDE BLIND WRITTEN ON RETURNING TO THE P. OF I. ON 10 JANUARY 1827 by EMILY JANE BRONTE |