When And Why

When I bring you coloured toys, my child, I understand why there

is such a play of colours on clouds, on water, and why flowers are

painted in tints-when I give coloured toys to you, my child.

When I sing to make you dance, I truly know why there is music

in leaves, and why waves send their chorus of voices to the heart

of the listening earth-when I sing to make you dance.

When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands, I know why

there is honey in the cup of the flower, and why fruits are

secretly filled with sweet juice-when I bring sweet things to your greedy hands.

When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling, I surely

understand what pleasure streams from the sky in morning light, and

what delight the summer breeze brings to my body-when I kiss you

to make you smile.