It reads like a memory of an intense childhood bond, maybe a first friendship or first love, told through a visit to a private garden. The speaker remembers a pale, quiet child who seemed distant until he smiled, and then felt entirely known. Together they share hidden treasures and invented games in the dark, pretending the shadows are underwater. The mood is tender and dreamlike, but also fragile and a little sad. Their closeness depends on staying hidden inside this private world. When they hear footsteps on the World-road just beyond the garden, both are frightened, and the boy admits he has walked there before. That glimpse of outside reality brings tears. The poem ends with the same child arriving alone and leaving without a wave, turning the memory into something quietly painful: a connection that could not survive beyond the garden.
There Was a Child Once — Summary
There was a child once. He came to play in my garden; He was quite pale and silent. Only when he smiled I knew everything about him, I knew what he had in his pockets, And I knew the feel of his hands in my hands And the most intimate tones of his voice. I led him down each secret path, Showing him the hiding-place of all my treasures. I let him play with them, every one, I put my singing thoughts in a little silver cage And gave them to him to keep ... It was very dark in the garden But never dark enough for us. On tiptoe we walked among the deepest shades; We bathed in the shadow pools beneath the trees, Pretending we were under the sea. Once--near the boundary of the garden-- We heard steps passing along the World-road; O how frightened we were! I whispered: “Have you ever walked along that road?” He nodded, and we shook the tears from our eyes.... There was a child once. He came--quite alone--to play in my garden; He was pale and silent. When we met we kissed each other, But when he went away, we did not even wave.