| Robert Frost (1874–1963). A Boy’s Will. 1915. |
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| 27. The Demiurge’s Laugh |
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| IT was far in the sameness of the wood; | |
| I was running with joy on the Demon’s trail, | |
| Though I knew what I hunted was no true god. | |
| It was just as the light was beginning to fail | |
| That I suddenly heard—all I needed to hear: | 5 |
| It has lasted me many and many a year. | |
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| The sound was behind me instead of before, | |
| A sleepy sound, but mocking half, | |
| As of one who utterly couldn’t care. | |
| The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh, | 10 |
| Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went; | |
| And well I knew what the Demon meant. | |
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| I shall not forget how his laugh rang out. | |
| I felt as a fool to have been so caught, | |
| And checked my steps to make pretence | 15 |
| It was something among the leaves I sought | |
| (Though doubtful whether he stayed to see). | |
| Thereafter I sat me against a tree. | |
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