GOD’S GIFTS TO MEN
THE angels stood before God’s throne to take down his gifts to men.
One said, “What shall I take to the little child?”
God said, “A long cloudless day in which there shall be no rain, to play in.”
And one said, “What shall I take to the woman?”
And God said, “The touch of a little child upon her breast.”
And one said, “For the man?”
God said, “He has all things, let him enjoy.”
“And what shall I take for the poet?”
And there was silence for a little while.
And God said, “For the poet, a long sleep in which there shall be no dream, and to which there shall be no waking: his eyes are heavy.”
And the angels went down.
