Song for Naomi By Irving Layton

Who is that in the tall grasses singing 

By herself, near the water? 

I can not see her 

But can it be her 

Than whom the grasses so tall 

Are taller,  

My daughter, 

My lovely daughter?  

Who is that in the tall grasses running 

Beside her, near the water? 

She can not see there 

Time that pursued her 

In the deep grasses so fast 

And faster 

And caught her, 

My foolish daughter.  

What is the wind in the fair grass saying 

Like a verse, near the water? 

Saviours that over 

All things have power 

Make Time himself grow kind 

And kinder 

That sought her, 

My little daughter.  

Who is that at the close of the summer 

Near the deep lake?  Who wrought her 

Comely and slender? 

Time but attends and befriends her 

Than whom the grasses though tall 

Are not taller,  

My daughter, 

My gentle daughter.