AT THE DOOR

Children are at the door.
Shall I let them in?
If I let them in, I can do no more
The work I love;
If I bid them go, I then can work no more
For thinking that I should have let them in
And worked no more.

Duty is at the door.
Shall I let her in?
If I let her in, my life must change
Its course;
If I bid her go, my life will change itself
For thinking that I should have let her in
And followed her.

Love is at the door.
Shall I let him in?
If I let him in, my heart's content may cease;
If I bid him go, I may weep bitter tears
For thinking that I should have to let him in
To wound me
With an arrow from his sheath.
(Lillie Fuller Merriam)