Excerpt
A LITTLE FRECKLED PERSON
They think I'm just a little girlAt study, work, or play,—A little freckled person whoHas never much to say.They do not know a princess oftIn golden gown am I,With cheeks like apple petals softAnd eyes like sea or sky.They only see my tumbled braids,They do not know I wearA crown with turquoises and berylsUpon my coiled-up hair.They do not know adventures direBeset me, land and sea,That page and courtier, knight and squire,Before me bend the knee.That haughty ships with silken sailsUpon my bidding go—All these, and other happy things,They cannot, cannot know.They only see a little girlAt study, work, or play,—A little freckled person, whoHas never much to say!
The Selfish Sea
The sea is very, very wide:It takes up all the room outside;And when I stand beside the sea,It comes right up and pushes me!
The Rabbit
A rabbit works its ears, and triesTo watch you with its rabbit eyes;Its saucy little tail it flounces,And when it hits the ground it bounces!
A RABBIT WORKS ITS EARS, AND TRIES TO WATCH YOU WITH ITS RABBIT EYESThe Uncritical Kitten
If I am selfish when I playMy kitten likes me anyway!
Next-Door People
The next-door people have a bird,The yellowest you ever heard!It hops, and chirps, and sings—and sings!Aren't next-door people pleasant things!
Probation
Mother says:If you're thoughtful and polite;Go to bed at eight each night;Always hasten to do choresAnd give up chairs for visitors,Weed the garden, carry wood,And be very still and good—Mother says:If you're faithful in your task;Never beg, but only ask;Fold your napkin, say your prayers;Put no gum upon the chairs;Keep your bureau drawer quite neat;Never walk through pools, but onThe sidewalk till the mud is gone;And say "Thank you" often, andSit erect and walk and stand;And wash well behind your ears;Always wait until it clearsTo wear your best clothes, and not failTo hang your coat upon its nail—You will find the people whereYou live, like to have you there!Our house has a pleasant yard.I am trying very hard!
WEED THE GARDEN, CARRY WOODPerhaps!
You never know, in this great world, whatwonders there may be—Perhaps there's buried treasure outbeneath our cherry tree!
'Fraid Stars
The stars are like us children here,Not any older grown:At night, the little 'fraid stars stayTogether in the Milky Way—The brave ones stand alone!
The Stars
The stars are lighted candlesUpon a Christmas tree;(The branches, that they hang uponWe cannot ever see:)On Christmas Eve the angels standAbout it after tea.And if an angel's very goodHe gets a present, as he should.
As You Would Be Done By
Of course I believe in fairies!Of course I know they're true!—Just think, if you were a fairy,And no one believed in you!
Drawing
Upon my slate I drawStrange things I never saw,Nor you, nor any one!But oh, it is such fun!
The Fishing-pole
A fishing-pole's a curious thing:It's made of just a stick and string:A boy at one end and a wish;And on the other end a fish!
Sympathy
Little fishing-boat, a blurOn the ocean blue,Don't you ever wish you wereA little taller, too?I've a birthday! Look at meAs you dart and dip!Grow, and maybe soon you'll beA white-sailed ship!
The Forest School
The little firs demurely standIn studious rows, on either hand,On winter days about like these,All learning to be Christmas trees.
White Cherry
The moon's a white cherry,For sale in the sky,And each one admires it,But no one will buy....