I prayed at first—a little girl—

I prayed at first—a little girl—
Because they told me to,
But stopped when qualified to guess
How prayer would sound to me

If I supposed God looked around
Each time my childish eye
Fixed full and steady on His own
In solemn honesty—

And told Him what I'd like to-day,
And parts of His far plan
That baffled me—the underside
Of His divinity.

And often since in danger
I count the force 't would be
To have a God so strong as that,
To hold my life for me,

Till I could catch the balance
That slips so easily;
It takes me all the while to poise,
And then it doesn't stay.