Playing

Now before I run to play

Let me not forget to pray

To God who kept me through the night

And waked me with the morning light.

Help me, Lord, to love Thee more

Than I ever loved before

In my work and in my play

Be Thou with me through the day.

Give us, Father, every day

Work to do and time for play

Help us to be kind and good

To act the way Thy children should.

Lord, teach me to love Thy children

Everywhere, because

Thou art their father, and mine.

Amen.

*****************************

The little cares that fretted me

I lost them yesterday

Among the fields above the sea

Among the lowing of the herds

The rustling of the trees

Among the singing of the birds

The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what might pass

I cast them all away

Among the clover-scented grass

Among the new-mown hay

Among the hushing of the corn

Where drowsy poppies nod

Where ill thoughts die and good are born

Out in the fields with God.

(Louise Imogen Guiney)