(For A. K. K.) <br /> <br />What distant mountains thrill and glow <br /> Beneath our Lady Folly's tread? <br />Why has she left us, wise in woe, <br /> Shrewd, practical, uncomforted? <br />We cannot love or dream or sing, <br /> We are too cynical to pray, <br />There is no joy in anything <br /> Since Lady Folly went away. <br /> <br />Many a knight and gentle maid, <br /> Whose glory shines from years gone by, <br />Through ignorance was unafraid <br /> And as a fool knew how to die. <br />Saint Folly rode beside Jehanne <br /> And broke the ranks of Hell with her, <br />And Folly's smile shone brightly on <br /> Christ's plaything, Brother Juniper. <br /> <br />Our minds are troubled and defiled <br /> By study in a weary school. <br />O for the folly of the child! <br /> The ready courage of the fool! <br />Lord, crush our knowledge utterly <br /> And make us humble, simple men; <br />And cleansed of wisdom, let us see <br /> Our Lady Folly's face again.<br /><br />Joyce Kilmer<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/folly/
