If I lived another life, I would be a poet

I learned this poem in 5th grade. I clearly remembering sitting in the back of the room in the church building with Mrs. Datema leading a class recitation. I miss the days when I was assigned to memorize poetry. I happened upon this poem as I was searching for a quote that I heard at Chi Alpha on Monday night. When I saw Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's name, memories of my fifth grade poetry series came flashing back. Poetry will definitely be on my mind this summer when I have more time to explore. Or maybe even later in the semester. It will just have to wait until I don't have 3 exams on Thursday, online class and lab training on Friday, 1 exam on Tuesday, and data survey due on Wednesday. More poetry and wonderful literature to come!!

1. The Children's Hour by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight,
    When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
      That is known as the Children's Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
      The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
      And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
      Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
      And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
      Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
      To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
      A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
      They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
      O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
      They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
      Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
      In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
      Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
      Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
      And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
      In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
      Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
      And moulder in dust away!