Intimate Prayer

Blessed forever be 

My hamlet in its simplicity 



With its mornings calm and bright, 

Lilac-covered, or blue or white. 



Where evening as a perfume goes, 

And twilight’s colored like a rose. 



With nights whose beauty nothing mars, 

Drunken with the moon and stars. 



Where the ancient steeple airy

Watches like a visionary. 



With tiny houses that beguile

One’s spirit with their humble smile. 



Where ancient laurels touch the sky, 

And from tall cotes the pigeons fly. 



Where the rivulet and river

Bathe the feet of the village ever. 



Where blossomy branches are the yield

Of the fertile fragrant field. 



With hearts good and happy, making 

Life’s old hurt leave off its aching—



Hearts that crave no other’s pleasure,

But the days by duties measure; 



Child-like souls who seem to be 

All courtesy and gravity. 



For this, and for much more that I 

From memory will not let die, 



Blessed forever be

My hamlet in its simplicity!