Spring - 1948

To see a baby touch a new spring leaf -

  Oh heart, why must you ache?

The leaf uncurling, hand uncurling

Made to touch the air, to grow to love,

To learn the sun, the wind, the shadows,

  Heart, why must you ache?

To see a baby smiling at a stream

  Oh heart, why must you ache?

Wonder, still as moonlight in his eyes

Made to learn, to seek, to know - and then to learn again

Fear and pain and cruelness and greed -

  Oh heart, why must you ache?