If it were in my dead Past’s power <br /> To let my Present bask <br />In some lost pleasure for an hour, <br /> This is the boon I’d ask: <br /> <br />Re-pedestal from out the dust <br /> Where long ago ‘twas hurled, <br />My beautiful incautious trust <br /> In this unworthy world. <br /> <br />The symbol of my souls own truth – <br /> I saw it go with tears – <br />The sweet unwisdom of my youth – <br /> That vanished with the years. <br /> <br />Since knowledge brings us only grief, <br /> I would return again <br />To happy ignorance and belief <br /> In motives and in men. <br /> <br />For worldly wisdom learned in pain <br /> Is in itself a cross, <br />Significant mayhap of gain, <br /> Yet sign of saddest loss.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/worldly-wisdom/
