Child Watching a Snail

Within the garden’s close embrace, secure As though it were a world for you alone, I watch you ponder on the slow and sure Pathway a lone snail journeys to a stone. It takes an hour, you say, to pass a rose Kindling its fire beside the walk; a day To reach the gate a wind will never close; Nothing can quicken its slow, unhurried way. O child bewildered in the summer sun, Too swiftly, all too swiftly, all things pass: Bright stars at dusk, the evening’s moon, half-blown, Love, even love, like shadows on the grass. Censure it not, this snail with silver glow; Across your heart may Time move half as slow.