The Prodigal's Return

Edith Nesbit 1858 (Kennington, Surrey ) – 1924 (New Romney, Kent)



I reach my hand to thee!
Stoop; take my hand in thine;
Lead me where I would be,
Father divine.
I do not even know
The way I want to go,
The way that leads to rest:
But, Thou who knowest me,
Lead where I cannot see,
Thou knowest best.

Toys, worthless, yet desired,
Drew me afar to roam.
Father, I am so tired;
I am come home.
The love I held so cheap
I see, so dear, so deep,
So almost understood.
Life is so cold and wild,
I am thy little child -
I WILL be good.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

30 sec read
72

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCCDAAD EFEFGGHIIH
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 452
Words 101
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 10, 10

Edith Nesbit

Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland) was an English author and poet; she published her books for children under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 books of children's literature. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, a socialist organisation later affiliated to the Labour Party. more…

All Edith Nesbit poems | Edith Nesbit Books

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