I prayed, at first, a little Girl,

I prayed, at first, a little Girl, Because they told me to -- But stopped, when qualified to guess How prayer would feel -- to me --

If I believed God looked around, Each time my Childish eye Fixed full, and steady, on his own In Childish honesty --

And told him what I'd like, today, And parts of his far plan That baffled me -- The mingled side Of his Divinity --

And often since, in Danger, I count the force 'twould be To have a God so strong as that To hold my life for me

Till I could take the Balance That tips so frequent, now, It takes me all the while to poise -- And then -- it doesn't stay --