Child

Carl Sandburg

1878 to 1967

Poem Image

The young child, Christ, is straight and wise 
And asks questions of the old men, questions 
Found under running water for all children 
And found under shadows thrown on still waters 
By tall trees looking downward, old and gnarled 
Found to the eyes of children alone, untold, 
Singing a low song in the loneliness 
And the young child, Christ, goes on asking 
And the old men answer nothing and only know love 
For the young child Christ, straight and wise