(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 />Alfred Joyce Kilmer<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/folly-7/
