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I MEANT TO HAVE BUT MODEST NEEDS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
Last Line: All swindlers — be — infer
Subject(s): Prayer; Life


I meant to have but modest needs -
Such as Content - and Heaven -
Within my income - these could lie
And Life and I - keep even -

But since the last - included both -
It would suffice my Prayer
But just for One - to stipulate -
And Grace would grant the Pair -

And so - upon this wise - I prayed -
Great Spirit - Give to me
A Heaven not so large as Yours,
But large enough - for me -

A Smile suffused Jehovah's face -
The Cherubim - withdrew -
Grave Saints stole out to look at me -
And showed their dimples - too -

I left the Place, with all my might -
I threw my Prayer away -
The Quiet Ages picked it up -
And Judgment - twinkled - too -
Tat one so honest - be extant -
It take the Tale for true -
That "Whatsoever Ye shall ask -
Itself be given You" -

But I, grown shrewder - scan the Skies
With a suspicious Air -
As Children - swindled for the first
All Swindlers - be - infer




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