"I DIDN'T THINK "

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6, 11 February 1909, Page 237

" I DIDN'T THINK "

If all the troubles in the world ' Were traced back to their start, We'd find not one in ten began From want of willing heart. But there's a sly woe-working elf Who lurks about youth's brink, And sure dismay he brings awav — The elf ' I didn't think.'

He seems so sorry when he's caught, His mien is all contrite, He so regrets the woe he\ wrought, And wants to make things right. But wishes do not heal a wound, Or weld a broken link, The heart aches on, the link is gone — All through ' I didn't think.'

I half believe fh&t ugly sprite, ' Bold, wicked "'• I don't care,' In life's long run less harm has done • Because he is so rare. And one can be so stern with him, Can make the monster shrink; But lack-a-day, what can we say To whining 'Didn't think.' This most unpleasant imp of strife Pursues us everywhere. There's scarcely one whole day of life He does not cause us care. Small woes and great he brings the world, Strong ships are forced to sink, And trains from iron tracks are hurled By stupid ' Didn't think.' When brain is comrade to the heart, And heart from soul draws grace * I didn't think ' will quick depart For lack of resting place. If from that great unselfish stream, The Golden, we drink, We'll keep God's laws and have no cause To say, ' I didn't think.'

Mrs. E. W. Wilcox.