IF I HAD KNOWN
IF I HAD KNOWN WHAT TROUBLE YOU WERE BEARING;
WHAT GRIEFS WERE IN THE SILENCE OF YOUR FACE;
I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE GENTLE, AND MORE CARING,
AND TRIED TO GIVE YOU GLADNESS FOR A SPACE,
I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT MORE WARMTH INTO THE PLACE,
IF I HAD KNOWN.
IF I HAD KNOWN WHAT THOUGHTS DESPAIRING DREW YOU;
WHY DO WE NEVER TRY TO UNDERSTAND?
I WOULD HAVE LENT A LITTLE FRIENDSHIP TO YOU,
AND SLIPPED MY HAND WITHIN YOUR HAND,
AND MADE YOUR STAY MORE PLEASANT IN THE LAND,
IF I HAD KNOWN
Mary Carolyn Davies
