Poem: “Hide and Seek” by Henry Van Dyke

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American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Henry Van Dyke – Poems by Henry Van Dyke
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Hide and Seek

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All the trees are sleeping, all the winds are still,All the fleecy flocks of cloud, gone beyond the hill;Through the noon-day silence, down the woods of June,Hark, a little hunter’s voice, running with a tune. “Hide and seek! When I speak, You must answer me: Call again, Merry men, Coo-ee, coo-ee, coo-ee!”

Now I hear his footsteps rustling in the grass:Hidden in my leafy nook, shall I let him pass?Just a low, soft whistle,—quick the hunter turns,Leaps upon me laughing loud, rolls me in the ferns. “Hold him fast, Caught at last! Now you’re it, you see. Hide your eye, Till I cry, Coo-ee, coo-ee, coo-ee!”

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Long ago he left me, long and long ago;Now I wander thro’ the world, seeking high and low.Hidden safe and happy, in some pleasant place,—If I could but hear his voice, soon I’d see his face! Far away, Many a day, Where can Barney be? Answer, dear, Don’t you hear? Coo-ee, coo-ee, coo-ee!

Birds that every spring-time sung him full of joy,Flowers he loved to pick for me, mind me of my boy.Somewhere he is waiting till my steps come nigh;Love may hide itself awhile, but love can never die. Heart, be glad, The little lad Will call again to thee: “Father dear, Heaven is here, Coo-ee, coo-ee, coo-ee!”

1898.

< < < The Wind of Sorrow
Autumn in the Garden > > >

American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Henry Van Dyke – Poems by Henry Van Dyke

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Hide and Seek

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