Nature

The Mystery

by G. K. Chesterton 1874–1936

From The Ballad of St. Barbara, and Other Verses (1922)

Nature

If sunset clouds could grow on trees
It would but match the may in flower;
And skies be underneath the seas
No topsyturvier than a shower.

If mountains rose on wings to wander
They were no wilder than a cloud;
Yet all my praise is mean as slander,
Mean as these mean words spoken aloud.

And never more than now I know
That man's first heaven is far behind;
Unless the blazing seraph's blow
Has left him in the garden blind.

Witness, O Sun that blinds our eyes,
Unthinkable and unthankable King,
That though all other wonder dies
I wonder at not wondering.

MLA

Chesterton, G. K. “The Mystery.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/chesterton/143/.

Chicago

Chesterton, G. K. “The Mystery.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/chesterton/143/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by G. K. Chesterton