Poems for Children

DAYBREAK

A wind came up out of the sea,
And said: "O mists, make room for me!"

It hailed the ships, and cried: "Sail on,
Ye mariners, the night is gone."

And hurried landward far away,
Crying: "Awake! it is the day.”

It said unto the forest : " Shout!
Hang all your leafy banners out!

It touched the wood-bird's folded wing,
And said : " O bird, awake and sing !"

It whispered to the fields of corn :
"Bow down, and hail the coming morn!"

It shouted through the belfry tower:
"Awake, O bell! proclaim the hour."

- Henry W. Longfellow