People with honest errands there, tired women, busy men, Were told he was in conference, and couldn’t see them then. “Come back a little later on,” the office girl would call, And John would manage not to see the most of them at all. He passed away in course of time, as even rich men do, And came up to the pearly gates as though to hurry through. But lo, the way was firmly barred, and, sitting in a chair, He saw a white-robed office girl who asked his errand there. “I hoped,” said he, “Saint Peter would be here and let me by.” In standard office language she delivered this reply: “Saint Peter is in conference. How long? I do not know. Come back a little later--say a million years or so.” Inventive Genius (1927) I’VE listed the inventions Since ages far away, And noted the discoveries Down to the present day. One little thing I’ve noticed, Thus far, of every one. It’s really very simple --When you see how it is done. Somebody finds a secret That no one else has seen, Harnesses laws familiar, And makes a new machine. There’s not a task among them Requiring so much wit, But that I could have done it --Had I but thought of it. Morning Prayer (1927) Father, grant to keep and guide me Through the moments of the day. Let me know Thou art beside me, That no evil can betide me In my work or play. Teach my hands some good endeavor While the golden hours shall run, Something that will last forever Let me bring to Thee, the Giver, E’er the day is done. When at last the sun is wending Down the sloping West, And the evening shades descending Tell the world the day is ending, Watch above my rest. Old-Fashioned Pictures (1927) The old plush-covered album Upon the parlor stand Is but a distant country, A half-forgotten land Inhabited by people Strong as the sturdy oaks, Firm as the hills they conquered, --The dear old-fashioned folks. Look at the honest faces, The quaint and homely dress, The strained and studied postures That once spelled loveliness. Look at the solemn features. They put away their jokes To have their pictures taken --The dear old-fashioned folks. They carved trails through the forests. They seeded down the soil. They built the busy cities By unremitting toil. They laid the firm foundations, By honest, manly strokes, On which we build the future. --The dear old-fashioned folks. The Problem (1927) THOU God of little children, And Parent of us all, Who knowest all our struggles, And hearest every call, Disclose to us the secret, And tell us what to do To keep our children little And have them grow up, too. We treasure the devotion, The little velvet hands, The tender little greetings Love always understands; And yet we want them coming To strength and prospects new. How can we keep them little And have them grow up, too?