A Light Exists in Spring

A Light exists in SpringNot present on the YearAt any other period —

When March is scarcely hereA Color stands abroad

On Solitary FieldsThat Science cannot overtake

But Human Nature feels.It waits upon the Lawn,

It shows the furthest TreeUpon the furthest Slope you know

It almost speaks to you.Then as Horizons stepOr Noons report away

Without the Formula of soundIt passes and we stay —

A quality of lossAffecting our Content

As Trade had suddenly encroachedUpon a Sacrament.

Adventures Of Isabel

by Ogden Nash

Isabel met an enormous bear,Isabel, Isabel, didn't care;

The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,

The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.

The bear said, Isabel, glad to meet you,

How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you!Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry.

Isabel didn't scream or scurry.She washed her hands and she

straightened her hair up,Then Isabel quietly ate the bear

up.Once in a night as black as pitchIsabel met a wicked old witch.the witch's face was cross and

wrinkled,The witch's gums with teeth were

sprinkled.Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch

crowed,I'll turn you into an ugly toad!

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,Isabel didn't scream or scurry,She showed no rage and she

showed no rancor,But she turned the witch into milk

and drank her.Isabel met a hideous giant,

Isabel continued self reliant.The giant was hairy, the giant was

horrid,He had one eye in the middle of

his forhead.Good morning, Isabel, the giant

said,I'll grind your bones to make my

bread.Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,

Isabel didn't scream or scurry.She nibled the zwieback that she

always fed off,And when it was gone, she cut the

giant's head off.Isabel met a troublesome doctor,He punched and he poked till he

really shocked her.The doctor's talk was of coughs

and chillsAnd the doctor's satchel bulged

with pills.The doctor said unto Isabel,

Swallow this, it will make you well.Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,

Isabel didn't scream or scurry.She took those pills from the pill

concocter,And Isabel calmly cured the

doctor.

Dirty Face

by Shel Silverstein

Where did you get such a dirty face,My darling dirty-faced child?

I got it from crawling along in the dirtAnd biting two buttons off Jeremy's shirt.I got it from chewing the roots of a rose

And digging for clams in the yard with my nose.I got it from peeking into a dark cave

And painting myself like a Navajo brave.I got it from playing with coal in the bin

And signing my name in cement with my chin.I got if from rolling around on the rugAnd giving the horrible dog a big hug.I got it from finding a lost silver mine

And eating sweet blackberries right off the vine.I got it from ice cream and wrestling and tears

And from having more fun than you've had in years.

Fairy Townby Carolyn Wells

In Fairy Town, in Fairy Town,Where Fairy folk go up and down,

Where Fairy children, wee and gay,Frisk and romp in Fairy play,

Every day’s a holiday!And every night is sweeter still,For when, behind the Fairy hillThe tiny Fairy sun goes down,It’s sleepy time in Fairy Town!

Sleepy time in Fairy Town!Sleep, sleep–sleep–

While the stars of Fairy TownSafe watch keep.

All the Fairy babies, so,Off to Dreamland softly go–

Sleep–sleep–sleep!In Fairy Town, in Fairy Town,

Each baby in a moonlight gown,Lies and dreams the livelong night.

Fairy babies are so white,White and pink and wee and bright!

Petals of a rose a-curlMake a Fairy baby girl;

Autumn leaves, all dear and brown,Make the boys of Fairy Town!

Sleepy time in Fairy Town!Sleep, sleep–sleep–

While the stars of Fairy TownSafe watch keep.

Like the Fairy babies, goOff to Dreamland, softly, so–

Sleep–sleep–sleep!

Going Down Hill on a Bicycleby Henry Charles Beeching

A Boy’s Song

With lifted feet, hands still,I am poised, and down the hill

Dart, with heedful mind;The air goes by in a wind.

Swifter and yet more swift,Till the heart with a mighty lift

Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:—“O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.

“Is this, is this your joy?O bird, then I, though a boy,For a golden moment share

Your feathery life in air!”

Say, heart, is there aught like thisIn a world that is full of bliss?‘Tis more than skating, boundSteel-shod to the level ground.

Speed slackens now, I floatAwhile in my airy boat;

Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,My feet to the treadles fall.

Alas, that the longest hillMust end in a vale; but still,

Who climbs with toil, wheresoe’er,Shall find wings waiting there.

Now We Are Sixby A.A. Milne

When I was one,I had just begun.When I was two,I was nearly new.When I was three,I was hardly me.

When I was four,I was not much more.

When I was five,I was just alive.

But now I am six,I'm as clever as clever.

So I think I'll be sixnow and forever.

Lily-Bell and Thistledown Song Iby Louisa May Alcott

Awake! Awake! for the earliest gleamOf golden sunlight shines

On the rippling waves, that brightly flowBeneath the flowering vines.

Awake! Awake! for the low, sweet chantOf the wild-birds' morning hymn

Comes floating by on the fragrant air,Through the forest cool and dim;

Then spread each wing,And work, and sing,

Through the long, bright sunny hours;O'er the pleasant earth

We journey forth,For a day among the flowers.

Awake! Awake! for the summer windHath bidden the blossoms unclose,

Hath opened the violet's soft blue eye,And awakened the sleeping rose.

And lightly they wave on their slender stems

Fragrant, and fresh, and fair,Waiting for us, as we singing come

To gather our honey-dew there.Then spread each wing,

And work, and sing,Through the long, bright sunny hours;

O'er the pleasant earthWe journey forth,

For a day among the flowers.

Puppy And Iby A.A. Milne

I met a Man as I went walking:We got talking,

Man and I."Where are you going to, Man?" I said

(I said to the Man as he went by)."Down to the village, to get some bread.

Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

I met a horse as I went walking;We got talking,

Horse and I."Where are you going to, Horse, today?"

(I said to the Horse as he went by)."Down to the village to get some hay.Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

I met a Woman as I went walking;We got talking,Woman and I.

"Where are you going to, Woman, so early?"(I said to the Woman as she went by).

"Down to the village to get some barley.Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

I met some Rabbits as I went walking;We got talking,Rabbits and I.

"Where are you going in your brown fur coats?"(I said to the Rabbits as they went by)."Down to the village to get some oats.

Will you come with us?" "No, not I."

I met a Puppy as I went walking;We got talking,

Puppy and I."Where are you going this nice fine day?"

(I said to the Puppy as he went by)."Up to the hills to roll and play."

"I'll come with you, Puppy," said I.

The Mountain and the Squirrelby Ralph Waldo Emerson

The mountain and the squirrelHad a quarrel,

And the former called the latter"Little prig."Bun replied,

You are doubtless very big;But all sorts of things and weather

Must be taken in togetherTo make up a year

And a sphere.And I think it no disgrace

To occupy my place.If I'm not so large as you,You are not so small as I,

And not half so spry:I'll not deny you make

A very pretty squirrel track.Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;

If I cannot carry forests on my back,Neither can you crack a nut.

Where Did You Come From, Baby Dear?

by George MacDonald

Where did you come from, baby dear?Out of the everywhere into here.

Where did you get your eyes so blue?Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?I saw something better than anyone knows.Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?

Three angels gave me at once a kiss.Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.Where did you get those arms and hands?

Love made itself into hooks and bands.Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?

From the same box as the cherubs' wings.How did they all just come to be you?God thought about me, and so I grew.But how did you come to us, you dear?

God thought about you, and so I am here.