IF
Reading edition
If I were fire I'd burn the world away. If I were wind I'd turn my storms thereon, If I were water I'd soon let it drown.
Cecco Angolieri.
If I were fire I'd seek the frozen North And warm it till it blossomed fairly forth And in the sweetness of its smiling mien Resembled some soft southern garden scene. And when the winter came again I'd seek The chilling homes of lowly ones and meek And do my small but most efficient part To bring a wealth of comfort to the heart.
If I were wind I'd turn my breath upon The calm-bound mariner until, anon, The eager craft on which he sailed should find The harbor blest towards which it hath inclined. And in the city streets, when summer's days Were withering the souls with scorching rays, I'd seek the fevered brow and aching eyes And take to them a touch of Paradise.
If I were water it would be my whim To seek out all earth's desert places grim, And turn each arid acre to a fair Lush home of flowers and oasis rare. Resolved in dew, I'd nestle in the rose. As summer rain I'd ease the harvest woes, And where a tear to pain would be relief, A tear I'd be to kill the sting of grief.
If I were gold, I'd seek the poor man's purse. I'd try to win my way into the verse Of some grand singer of Man's Brotherhood, And prove myself so pure, so fraught with good. That all the world would bless me for the cup Of happiness I'd brought for all to sup. And when at last my work of joy was o'er I'd be content to die, and be no more!
John Kendrick Bangs.
From "Songs of Cheer."