14 NOVEMBER 1931, Page 18

Poetry

The Little World

Tnouuat God in seven days The world and all its ways Once for his own delight did fashion truly, Yet every man alive Must through his senses five Create it newly.

No beauty dwells on earth Till eyes do give it birth ; No rock, no stone, till a hand's touch bring concretene- Fragrance, till breath be near ; Music, till listening ear Draw forth its sweetness.

And you, my little god, Whose rosy feet have trod

But seven days' distance from your own day's breaking,

You, in my arms close curled, Tell me, what kind of world Have you been making ?

These things your treasures be— Low voices' harmony ; The comfortable rhythm of the hours ; Kind warmth, surprising light, Food, and the nodding, bright, Blurred shapes of flowers..

Here dwells no hurt nor harm, Nor any worse alarm

Than the small stupendous sound of your own sneezing :

Wise though he be, and great, Could God himself create