Vachel Lindsay

The Angel and the Clown

I saw wild domes and bowers 
And smoking incense towers 
And mad exotic flowers 
In Illinois. 
Where ragged ditches ran 
Now springs of Heaven began 
Celestial drink for man 
In Illinois. 

There stood beside the town 
Beneath its incense-crown 
An angel and a clown 
In Illinois. 
He was as Clowns are: 
She was snow and star 
With eyes that looked afar 
In Illinois. 

I asked, ”How came this place 
Of antique Asian grace 
Amid our callow race 
In Illinois?” 
Said Clown and Angel fair: 
”By laughter and by prayer, 
By casting off all care 
In Illinois.”