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Edith Nesbit - When!
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WHEN I am young again I`ll hoard my bliss, 
Nor deem that inexhaustible it is, 
Remembering old age comes after this, 
                Joy grows to pain; 
Nor waste one moment of youth`s rose-sweet hours, 
Nor trample one of all its countless flowers, 
But drink the summer sun and soft spring showers, 
                When I am young again. 


I will be wise with wisdom dearly won 
By those who through life`s wood have nearly run; 
Learn what to do, and what to leave undone, 
                Risk or refrain. 
I will not seek into my mouth to take 
The bitter apple of the acrid lake, 
But at clear fountains all my thirsts will slake, 
                When I am young again. 


I will not brush the bloom to reach the core, 
Remembering how it chanced with me before, 
And bloom once lost returns not any more, 
                Hard cores remain: 
I will fence round with prudence and secure 
A lasting bloom whose freshness shall endure; 
Oh, I will guard my peach of youth, be sure, 
                When I am young again. 


When I am young again, I`ll spend no breath 
On bitter words the heart remembereth 
When bitterness is swallowed up by Death 
                Holding sole reign; 
I`ll love so well that if they pass to sleep 
Before me, I shall have no watch to keep 
Over their tears-only my tears to weep 
                When I am young again. 


I will not lightly joy nor idly grieve, 
Nor for a heaven itself one soul deceive, 
Nor will I be deceived, vainly believe, 
                Nor love in vain. 
Come back, lost youth! Ah, Fate, that one gift give! 
Then I will show that I have learned to live; 
Youth shall be wise--and two and two make five-- 
                When I am young again!
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