The b.u.t.terflies will be going (says the cherry) For it is getting dusk.
When it is dawn, They will be up and out with the dew, And sparkle as the dew does On the tips of tall slender green gra.s.ses Around my feet, Or on the cheeks of fruit I have ripened, Red cherries for birds And children.
A THING FORGOTTEN
White owl is not gloomy; Black bat is not sad.
It is only that each has forgotten Something he used to remember: Black bat goes searching . . . searching . . .
White owl says over and over Who? What? Where?
LITTLE PAPOOSE:
Little papoose swung high in the branches Hears a song of birds, stars, clouds, Small nests of birds, Small buds of flowers.
But he is thinking of his mother with dark hair Like her horse"s mane.
Fair clouds nod to him Where he swings in the tree, But he is thinking of his father Dark and glistening and wonderful, Of his father with a voice like ice and velvet, And tones of falling water, Of his father who shouts Like a storm.
FAIRIES AGAIN
Fairies dancing in the woods at night Make me think of foreign places, Of places unknown.
Fairies with sparkling crowns and dewy hands, Sprinkle flowers and mosses to keep them fresh, Talk to the birds to keep them cheery.
Once a bird came home And found a fairy asleep in his nest, Upon his baby eggs, To keep them warm!
OH, MY HAZEL-EYED MOTHER
Oh, my hazel-eyed mother, I looked behind the mulberry bush And saw you standing there.
You were all in white With a star on your forehead.
Oh, my hazel-eyed mother, I do not remember what you said to me, But the light floating above you Was your love for your little girl.
THE GREEN PALM TREE
I sat under a delicate palm tree On a sh.o.r.e of sounding waves.
I felt sure I was alone, Listening.
A sea-gull flew by from France, A sea-gull flew by from Spain, A sea-gull flew by from Mexico!
I laughed softly When they saw me: It was those travelers From foreign countries Changed my thoughts To laughter!
TREASURE
Robbers carry a treasure Into a field of wheat.
With a great bag of silk They go on careful feet.
They dig a hole, deep, deep, They bury it under a stone, Cover it up with turf, Leave it alone.
What is there in the bag?
Stones that shine, gold?
_I_ cannot rob the robbers!
THEY have not told.
To-night I"d like to know If they will go Softly to find the treasure?
I"d like to know How much yellow gold A bag like that can hold?
TWO PICTURES
I
Gorgeous Blue Mountain
I see a great mountain Stand among clouds; You would never know Where it ended. . . .
Oh, gorgeous blue mountain of my heart And of my love for you!
II
Sea-Gull
From a yellow strip of sand I watch a gull go by.
He is bright-eyed To see the world of waves.
All his dream is of the sea.
All his love is for his mate.
TELL ME
Tell me quiet things When it is shadowy: It is at morningbreak you must tell me tales Like those about Odysseus, Morning is the time for ships And strangers!
SILVERHORN