An Evening Revel

Poemata LI

Polenov, Birchwood Alley (1880)

In the evening where we come to stand in prayer
 My children often come to stand with me
But the little ones, daughters and the sons
 Have instead a bit of revelry;
And yet knowing not the meanings words have sought
 For them it is some strange solemnity
They do not understand unless taken then in hand
 And we have hands for only two or three;

Thus while reading out the verses round about
 Little feet and hands make circles there
In the early night by song and candle-light
 With shadows dancing in the air
Around my feet they go, depart, and meet
 With no moment left to spare--
As though adult legs were each a birch or fir
 In a twi-lit forest warm and fair.