But I wish that the eye were bigger Or the thread not quite so fat!

MY MOTHER'S GARDEN IS THE SEA--

My mother's garden is the sea If it is viewed aright.

The sweet alyssum borders are The ocean's breakers white;

The b.u.t.terflies and humming-birds Are sea-gulls flying o'er; And in our gravel garden path I pace a foreign sh.o.r.e!

THE GYMNASTIC CLOCK

The little clock is friends with me, It talks as plain as plain can be, And says, each morning as it rises, "Now, don't forget your exercises!

Both hands above your head, you know!

Then lower them very slowly, so; Ho, don't get tired and stop, that way!

_I_ exercise like this, all day!"

Right in its face then, I say, "Pooh!

I wouldn't boast of it, like you, But I can swing my arms 'round, too!"

And so the clock then looks at me, And I look back, and I and he Each single morning, when we rise, Just exercise and exercise!

SNOWFLAKES

The fairies called snowflakes all dressed up in white, They went to the dance, and were dancing all night.

And now they lie tired, where sleep chanced to o'ertake them.

Step lightly, speak softly, take care not to wake them!

PIRATE SONG

A pirate, a pirate!

I'd like to be a pirate!

A black-bearded pirate, with a pistol at my side!

With a crew to take my orders And scour the ocean's borders, I'd tramp along the quarterdeck, my ship upon the tide!

A pirate, a pirate!

I want to be a pirate A-sailing off to Tartary, to India, and Spain!

I'd show them I was master, As we scudded fast and faster, We pirates bold, a-search for gold, across the Spanish Main!

A pirate, a pirate!

I'd like to be a pirate, A scarlet scarf about my neck, a cutla.s.s at my wrist!

With my boots of shining leather Creaking when they rubbed together, And a foeman lank, to walk the plank, whenever I'd insist!

A pirate, a pirate!

I want to be a pirate!

To sail the seas for treasure, and to keep it in our hold!

To fear no foe nor nation-- What a splendid occupation To be a doughty pirate in the daring days of old!

A pirate, a pirate!

But if I were a pirate, I couldn't have a pair of skates, a football, or a sled!

So, when I think it over, Though I'd _like_ to be a rover, I'd rather live in our house, and be myself, instead!

[Ill.u.s.tration: I'D LIKE TO BE A PIRATE A SCARLET SCARF ABOUT MY NECK, A CUTLa.s.s AT MY WRIST]

OUR PLAYHOUSE IS SO NEAR TO FAIRYLAND--

Our playhouse is so near to Fairyland I think the fairies come and peep, to see How children play.

So sometimes when there's something in the gra.s.s That sounds like fairies' footsteps very faint Not far away,

We sit quite still, all on the playhouse wall; But though we wait and wait for them to speak They never do.

Our playhouse is so near to Fairyland They'll come some day, and start to play with us, I think, don't you?

NEW LEAVES

It doesn't do you any good to hide, Trees! Everybody knows you're there inside!

Besides, although you think you're hid complete --We see your feet!

BEACH BIRDS

Beach birds, beach birds, flying in to me, From the wide, blue palaces of your home, the sea, What have you to tell about, islands green and fair?

Stories of the ships that tramp the trail to Everywhere?