(After Rilke) br br br Spring has returned! Everything has returned! br The earth, just like a schoolgirl, memorizes br Poems, so many poems. ... Look, she has learned br So many famous poems, she has earned so many prizes! br br Teacher was strict. We delighted in the white br Of the old man's beard, bright like the snow's: br Now we may ask which names are wrong, or right br For "blue," for "apple," for "ripe." She knows, she knows! br br Lucky earth, let out of school, now you must play br Hide-and-seek with all the children every day: br You must hide that we may seek you: we will! We will! br br The happiest child will hold you. She knows all the things br You taught her: the word for "hope," and for "believe," br Are still upon her tongue. She sings and sings and sings.