I wonder where the stars went today?
Why do they vanish during light of day?
They're always gone at dawn's first ray.
Did that fiery old sun chase them away?

Why could there not be some slight delay
So I may in proper way approbation pay?
It's a matter of night and day, you say,
There's tomorrow, today, and yesterday?

I wonder if my friend will come to play?
Why did those at his house send me away?
I wonder if in some way he did not obey?
Why is the pretty bouquet in their foyer?

On their door a wreath of black and grey?
Why had the preacher come there to pray?
Will he never again come out to play?
It's a matter of night and day, you say?

There's tomorrow, today, and yesterday;
One must come and the other fade away.
To each his own array of night and day,
And to each his own precise pathway,

From which none may stray a while to stay.
But I wonder -- why must it be this way?