Classic Poem

Buried deep in the darkness,
Far from the sun's warm light,
See you not the blind worm
In his night?

He was born in the darkness,
Fated there to creep,
Sleepless, in the kingdom
Of eternal deep.

Like a worm in the darkness,
Dumb and blind and frail,
You pass childhood's wonder-years,
Weak and pale.

Near your cradle your mother
Sings no song
Of a happy, quiet life-time,
Sweet and long.

Nor of fields and gardens
Where a boy
Plays and spends the daylight hours,
Wild with joy.

No, a fount of grief and sadness
Ever springs
Bitter, bitter is the sorrow
That she sings.

Low, sad sighs, and hot, hot teardrops,
Low, sad sighs,
Grow forever in the forest
Where your pathway lies.

You were born in the darkness,
Fated there from birth
Ever to be creeping
In the earth.