I saw children playing, dancing in a ring, <br />Till a voice came calling, calling one away; <br />With sad backward glances she went loitering, <br />Hoping they would miss her and so cease to play. <br />Pettishly and pouting, ''Tis not time to sleep.' <br />Sobbing and protesting, slowly she did go; <br />But her merry comrades they all run and leap, <br />Feeling not her absence, heeding not her woe. <br />So as I went chatting through the city's hum, <br />With my old companions laughing on the way, <br />Came a voice low calling, calling me to come <br />To my lonely sleeping, leaving work and play. <br />With sad, mournful glances do I look to see <br />If a heart should loving pause and turn aside <br />From the happy circles and then come to me, <br />Sighing, 'Do not leave us—still with us abide.' <br /> <br />No! they still are playing, chatting in a ring, <br />Eager voices seeking other games to know. <br />Lone I go protesting—hear them laugh and sing, <br />Feeling not my absence, heeding not my woe.<br /><br />Dora Sigerson Shorter<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-saw-children-playing/
