Two and A Child

By Jean Starr Untermeyer

Does the Spring night call little boys

As it calls their wild young mothers?

But what can a child know of us or others

He has different joys.

A tree that bends and almost smothers

Two in the road who clasp and quiver,

To him is only a swing by the river

One of his outdoor toys.

Put him to bed and let us flee

Out in the night with other lovers.

It will not be long till he discovers

What’s known to you and me.

And then when a destined maiden hovers

Near for what only he can give her . . .

No! Close the door. What makes me shiver?

I will stay here. Let me be.