I put my heart to school
In the world, where men grow wise,
“Go out,” I said, “and learn the rule;
Come back when you win a prize.”
My heart came back again:
“Now where is the prize?” I cried. —-
“The rule was false, and the prize was pain,
And the teacher’s name was Pride.”
I put my heart to school
In the woods, where veeries sing,
And brooks run cool and clear;
In the fields, where wild flowers spring,
And the blue of heaven bends near.
“Go out,” I said: “you are half a fool,
But perhaps they can teach you here.”
“And why do you stay so long,
My heart, and where do you roam?”
The answer came with a laugh and a song, —
“I find this school is home.”
(Henry Van Dyke)
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Based on Topics: World Poems, Heaven Poems, Name Poems, Cry Poems, Home Poems, Pain Poems, Spring Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Education Poems, Pride Poems, Laughter PoemsBased on Keywords: bends, brooks, veeries