The Reason

 WHEN I was but a little girl

Mere¹ flotsam on life’s sea,

Because of youth a lovely rose

Meant, just a rose to me.

Before I knew that love was life,

And life were all of love.

The sky was only atmosphere

And God frowned up above.

But now I am a woman grown

And know love tenderly,

I can not tell you dear how much

God’s roses mean to me.

 

1 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。