64505: Smoke-Rings

<p dir="ltr"> Boy:<br> Most venerable and learned sir,<br> Tall and true Philosopher,<br> These rings of smoke you blow all day<br> With such deep thought, what sense have they?<br> Philosopher:<br> Small friend, with prayer and meditation<br> I make an image of Creation.<br> And if your mind is working nimble<br> Straightway you'll recognize a symbol<br> Of the endless and eternal ring<br> Of God, who girdles everything---<br> God, who in His own form and plan<br> Moulds the fugitive life of man.<br> These vaporous toys you watch me make,<br> That shoot ahead, pause, turn and break---<br> Some glide far out like sailing ships,<br> Some weak ones fail me at my lips.<br> He who ringed His awe in smoke,<br> When He led forth His captive folk,<br> In like manner, East, West, North, and South,<br> Blows us ring-wise from His mouth.</p>