Up on the waves of the great sea-sky
Where the moon island dreamily floats
Sailing about, with laughter and shout,
Are thousands of gay little boats;
And some are quite large,—they are nearer, you see,
And some very faint and afar;
Each little boat has a bright little sail
And each little sail is a star.
And “Come up and drift!” they are calling to me
“The sea is blue and so wide”;
And the little sails wink, and its pleasant to think
That each longs to take me to ride;
But sadly I say: “You are too far away”;
And their light trembles down on my face;
So hailing the brightest, far upward I send
My heart’s dearest wish in my place.
THE YELLOW CITY LIGHTS
Through the rain and mist they’re shining; O yellow city lights,
How good you are to twinkle so on dark and windy nights!
Through the puddles splash the horses, and below the window glass
I can see the wet umbrellas of the people as they pass,
O yellow city lights—O yellow city lights!
How brave you are to twinkle so on dark and rainy nights!
For the wind is blowing, blowing, and the water comes in sheets
Against the sides of houses, and all up and down the streets.
You are friendlier than the stars I think, O lights in proud array,
The stars are all magnificent, but cold and far away,
And they never dare to twinkle, on dark and stormy nights,
While you shine out as brave as brave, O yellow city lights!