WHEN AND WHY

    WHEN I bring you coloured toys, my child, I understand why there is such a play of colours on clouds, on water, and why flowers are painted in tints——when I give coloured toys to you, my child.

    When I sing to make you dance, I truly know why there is music in leaves, and why waves send their chorus¹ of voices to the heart of the listening earth——when I sing to make you dance.

    When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands, I know why there is honey in the cup of the flower, and why fruits are secretly filled with sweet juice——when I bring sweet things to your greedy hands.

    When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling, I surely understand what pleasure streams from the sky in morning light, and what delight the summer breeze² brings to my body——when I kiss you to make you smile.