A Little Freckled Person: A Book of Child Verse

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 tries To watch you with its rabbit eyes; Its saucy little tail it flounces, And when it hits the ground it bounces!

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!

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 on The sidewalk till the mud is gone; And say "Thank you" often, and Sit erect and walk and stand; And wash well behind your ears; Always wait until it clears To wear your best clothes, and not fail To hang your coat upon its nail-- You will find the people where You live, like to have you there!

You never know, in this great world, what wonders there may be-- Perhaps there's buried treasure out beneath our cherry tree!

'FRAID STARS

The stars are like us children here, Not any older grown: At night, the little 'fraid stars stay Together in the Milky Way-- The brave ones stand alone!

The Stars

The stars are lighted candles Upon a Christmas tree; (The branches, that they hang upon We cannot ever see:) On Christmas Eve the angels stand About it after tea.

And if an angel's very good He 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!

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!

The Forest School

The little firs demurely stand In studious rows, on either hand, On winter days about like these, All learning to be Christmas trees.

The Independent Kite

A kite is very nice to own; It never, never grieves you, 'Cept when it wants to play alone And just goes off and leaves you!

Practicing

The black notes are the bridegrooms, The white notes are the brides! And I? Why, I'm the minister and all the guests besides!

Fairyland Secret Service

A snowflake is a letter A fairy in the sky Is sending to the fairies here, And, when they've read its message clear, Lest any one should spy, They purse their little lips and blow To melt that tell-tale note of snow. Oh, let us see if we can snatch And read a Fairyland dispatch!

A Book

A book's a magic sort of thing That makes you sailor, chief, or king; When I am old, and own a shelf, I think I'll have a book myself!

The Lonesome Sea

The sea is so lonely Now winter is here, I wish we could only Go down to the pier, And say to him kindly, "Don't think, Mr. Sea, We've forgotten you quite, for we haven't, not we!

"Last summer we scurried All sudden, I know, From the beach. Don't be worried! We hated to go!" I should like to go clear to the end of the pier, For he's lonesome; and tell him, "We're coming next year!"

The Mountains

The mountains do not stir, or show Emotion when Spring comes, I know; But though they are restrained by pride, I think that they are glad inside!

I pack the animals and ark, And push them deep into the dark; And in a quiet row I lay My cups and saucers 'til the day.

But who could ever say Good-night And leave her doll in such a plight? I couldn't let her stay without A friend, and hear the dark about!

So she and I go straight upstairs; She shuts her eyes while we say prayers, And then we lie and count up sheep Until we both are fast asleep.

It's not because I dread, at all, The darkness, that I keep my doll, But just because I think that she Would be so frightened without me!

Tell me all about the places Where the children have black faces, Armlets, anklets, copper rings! Where the cannibals are kings!

Has a hungry crocodile Ever met you with a smile? Have you taken many a trip In a rakish pirate ship?

Cockatoo, cockatoo, How I'd like to talk to you! But as you can guess, I'd be Gladder if you'd talk to me!

High Cost of Living

Among the angels--it's a shame To tell it--prices are so dear, They use the blown-out candle-flame To mend the ragged stars, this year!

Need

I like the kitten of my friends, I like its claws caught in my lace, I like the way each small ear ends, I like the black upon its face. I feel its heart beat in my hand, And then I somehow understand So many things I didn't know: I'm kinder, and my voice is low; And I close doors more softly, too, And do the things I'm told to do, Instead of wishing they were done. --But mother says we mayn't have one.

I want a kitten all my own To play with when I'm left alone, And when the family's gone away To shop, and work, and call, and play Tennis and other things. It's all So queer and lonely in the hall And in the parlor, too, and in The sitting-room, where words have been But are not now. The chairs and I Wait through the hours, till by-and-by, Our only playmates little fears-- There's room in all our lives, I think, For one small kitten, black as ink With two white spots behind its ears.

Sky-color

Blue skies are very apt to fade; Dark colors wear the best, it's true-- But who would choose a useful shade? I want mine blue!

Left Out

If shoemakers' children are left with feet bare I've wondered and wondered (I don't think it's fair) If maybe at Christmas there aren't any toys Left over for Santa Claus' own girls and boys!

The White Birch

A white birch grows In the deepest wood. If you are good And the stars are right --Who knows?-- You may see, some night, The nymphs stand under The sea-green heave Of its boughs, in a row. --But if you wonder, They will fade and go. --You must just believe!

Thanksgiving

The turkey is a mournful bird From all that I have ever heard; If he could live this day to see How very thankful he would be!

The Nest

That tree has a nest, And if I lie Quite still, and if I Have luck, I may see Two heads or three Stretched out. Hark! hark! Wings sound! And a dark Shadow comes flying Through boughs. They are trying To reach the food that the large bird brings. Unfinished wings Are such curious things! They are almost old enough to fly, The three. If they knew As I do, and you, That nests are cozier than the sky!