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Poetry Archives

A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

The Prodigal’s Return

E. (Edith) Nesbit

I reach my hand to thee!
Stoop; take my hand in thine;
Lead me where I would be,
Father divine.
I do not even know
The way I want to go,
The way that leads to rest:
But, Thou who knowest me,
Lead where I cannot see,
Thou knowest best.

Toys, worthless, yet desired,
Drew me afar to roam.
Father, I am so tired;
I am come home.
The love I held so cheap
I see, so dear, so deep,
So almost understood.
Life is so cold and wild,
I am thy little child—
I WILL be good.
Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Many Voices | Hutchinson and Co., 1922
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