If I knew what poets know, <br />Would I write a rhyme <br />Of the buds that never blow <br />In the summer-time? <br />Would I sing of golden seeds <br />Springing up in ironweeds? <br />And of rain-drops turned to snow, <br />If I knew what poets know? <br /> <br />Did I know what poets do, <br />Would I sing a song <br />Sadder than the pigeon's coo <br />When the days are long? <br />Where I found a heart in pain, <br />I would make it glad again; <br />And the false should be the true, <br />Did I know what poets do. <br /> <br />If I knew what poets know, <br />I would find a theme <br />Sweeter than the placid flow <br />Of the fairest dream: <br />I would sing of love that lives <br />On the errors it forgives; <br />And the world would better grow <br />If I knew what poets know.<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if-i-knew-what-poets-know/