Classic Poem

I KNEW her first as food and warmth and rest,
A silken lap, soft arms, a tender breast;
Then, as fear came into my world, I knew
She was a never-failing refuge too.
Then I discovered play — my playmate she,
Unwearied in gay ingenuity,
And yet at the same time in her I saw,
Scarce understood, and yet obeyed, the Law.
Time taught me more and more to comprehend
Her understanding sweetness as a friend,
And as my life's horizon grew more wide
Her meaning to myself was magnified
By vision that had grown at last to see
A love that could enfold the world — and me.
Oh, there were restive and impatient days
When wilful childhood craved its own wild ways
And flung aside the gently guiding hand —
Blind hours when I was slow to understand,
But patience and a love that would not fail
Always prevailed — how could they but prevail?
And now so well I know her that I know
The graciousness of her will always grow
Like daybreak in my spirit, and will be
Through all my life a radiant mystery
Since love like hers ever exceeds the sweep
Of mortal plummet, sound we ne'er so deep.
Eternity itself will not suffice
To fathom it. If all through Paradise
My mother's love shall lead me wondering,
Is God's a slighter and a shallower thing?
How shall I dare to dream that I enclose
Her Maker in the mind she overflows?