My parents carried light with them, for they
Lived in days when people made their own
Or did without. The lantern’s frosty ray,
When Dad came late form milking, always shone
As it a star were coming home to us,
And if I called a midnight, goblin-harried,
The shadows fled and night grew luminous
Before the little lamp that Mother carried.
Folk have small need for lamps and lanterns now;
Even on farms the darkness will withdraw
By swift electric magic, but somewhat
I always shall be grateful that I saw
My parent’s coming make the darkness bright
And knew them as the carriers of light.
-from The Greatest of These