When I was young I told God what to do,
And called it prayer.
Even the questions that I asked of you
I let Him share.
There were so many things He might not see,
That was my fear--
I told him ways of secret ecstasy,
He would not hear.
Now that I’m old, I have been taught to see
The unspoilt sweetness that is yesterday.
Without a future man at last is free,
With nought to ask for I have learnt to pray.