Johnnie Sayre

Father, thou canst never know

The anguish that smote my heart

For my disobedience, the moment I felt

The remorseless wheel of the engine

Sink into the crying flesh of my leg.

As they carried me to the home of widow Morris

I could see the school-house in the valley

To which I played truant to steal rides upon the trains.

I prayed to live until I could ask your forgiveness—

From the solace of that hour I have gained infinite happiness.

Thou wert wise to chisel for me:

"Taken from the evil to come."

Edgar Lee Masters