She is wise, the Ancient Mother,
Her ways are not our ways:
We cannot circumscribe her
Though we watch her all our days.

On each of her questioning children
She presses a different will:
To one she says, " Keep busy! "
To one she says, " Keep still! "

She said to me, " Wait and listen:
I have plenty to drive and do —
But, once in a while, when you are sure ,
Speak out a word or two! "