The Open Door (Brazilian Verses)

by Rudyard Kipling

　　

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England is a cosy little country, Excepting for the draughts along the floor. And that is why you’re told, When the passages are cold: “Darling, you’ve forgot to shut the Door!” The Awful East Wind blows it Pussy or, the Hearthrug shows it, Aunty at the Writing-table knows it “Darling, you’ve forgot to shut the Door!” Shut shut shut the Door, my darling! Always shut the Door behind you, but You can go when you are old Where there isn’t any cold So there isn’t any Door that need be shut! And The deep Verandah shows it The pale Magnolia knows it And the bold, white Trumpet-flower blows it: There isn’t any Door that need be shut! The piping Tree-toad knows it The midnight Firefly shows it And the Beams of the Moon disclose it: There isn’t any Door that need be shut! The milky Beaches know it The silky Breezes blow it And the Shafts of the Sunrise show it: There isn’t any Door that need be shut!

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