To a little Indian Child-
A child fair and meek,
A spirit for all to seek,
Who knew of all the wild.
O where hast thou gone,
My little Indian friend?
And all of ye who’s song,
Has been yearned for, so long
Whilst your pleasures have come to end?
Thy eyes were once so bright and clear,
Thy laughter once so loud!
Thy brown little hands would stroke a deer,
Never would thou shed a tear
Nor hold thy head up proud.
O how I long for thee!
As well as thy sisters and brothers!
Ye who’s language spoke to trees,
Flowers, animals, and bumblebees,
Who’s wisdom is unlike any other
The winds pine for thee once more,
As do all creatures, tame and wild;
The sandy shore,
The grassy moor,
All wish for thee, Indian Child.
The time since then is long
The world no longer wild
Yet if one listens on stormy nights long
One might hear the old, old song
Of yonder Indian Child.
