BEHIND HER FAN.
Behind her fan of downy fluff,
Sewed on soft saffron satin stuff,
With peacock feathers, purple-eyed,
Caught daintily on either side,
The gay coquette displays a puff:
Two blue eyes peep above the buff:
Two pinky pouting lips ... enough!
That cough means surely come and hide
Behind her fan.
The barque of Hope is trim and tough,
So out I venture on the rough,
Uncertain sea of girlish pride.
A breeze! I tack against the tide,-
Capture a kiss and catch a cuff,-
Behind her fan.
Frank Dempster Sherman.
AN ACROSTICAL VALENTINE.
(A. S. R.)
Fast in your heart, O rondeau rare,
Rich with the wealth of love, I dare,
Alas! to send, but not to sign,
Nestles my name. The fetters fine
Kissed by her lips may break,—beware
Delight is dizzy with despair.
Suppose she fain would answer,-there!
How shall she find this name of mine
Fast in your heart?
Enough if secrecy you swear:
Red lips can't solve the subtile snare
My tricksy muse weaves with her line:
And I am caught, vain Valentine!
N.B.-Say,-should she ask you where?
"Fast in your heart."
Frank Dempster Sherman.