WE have left our youth behind: <br />Earth is in its baby years: <br />Void of wisdom cries the wind, <br />And the sunlight knows no tears. <br /> <br /> <br />When shall twilight feel the awe, <br />All the rapt thought of the sage, <br />And the lips of wind give law <br />Drawn from out their lore of age? <br /> <br /> <br />When shall earth begin to burn <br />With such love as thrills my breast? <br />When shall we together turn <br />To our long, long home for rest? <br /> <br /> <br />Child and father, we grow old <br />While you laugh and play with flowers; <br />And life's tale for us is told <br />Holding only empty hours. <br /> <br /> <br />Giant child, on you await <br />All the hopes and fears of men. <br />In thy fulness is our fate— <br />What till then, oh, what till then?<br /><br />George William Russell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/age-and-youth-2/
