Beneath the comfortable sky
All afternoon I love to lie,
And think about the books I've read
And all the things I dream in bed,
When I am not quite sleeping yet—
The things that day makes me forget.
The white clouds looked like ships one day,
And then like lambkins strayed away;
And, as I look, I understand
Just where it is that's Fairyland.
It's only lying down, you know,
The clouds make pictures for me, so
When I stand up to see them, why,
There's nothing there but clouds and sky!
Ambition
A lonely little desert isle
That was not comforted
By all the oceans mile on mile
Sighed wistfully and said,
"It's hard sometimes to be content.
I wish I were a continent!"
Tree Birthdays
Look! Look at me!
To-day's my birthday, Tree!
See, let me stand up, so,
Beside you. How you grow!
I'm tall, but oh,
I'll never be as tall as you, I know!
Tree, when's your birthday, please? Why don't you speak?
I seem so small,
And you're so tall,
Perhaps you have a birthday every week!
In Autumn
I'm sorry, Trees,
Your leaves have gone, and left you. But don't cry;
Don't shiver so. You're luckier than I!
When Summer's gone, and Fall's here stern and cool,
I have to go to school.
Don't tremble, Trees!
You shouldn't mind. I wish that I were you!
You don't have fractions, no, nor maps to do,
And no one tries to make trees keep a rule—
I have to go to school!