CALLING THE VIOLET

Dear little Violet,

Don’t be afraid!

Lift your blue eyes

From the rock’s mossy shade.

All the birds call for you

Out of the sky;

May is here waiting,

And here, too, am I.

Come, pretty Violet,

Winter’s away;

Come, for without you

May isn’t May.

Down through the sunshine

Wings flutter and fly;

Quick, little Violet,

Open your eye!

—Lucy Larcom.