Ah, who is this with twinkling feet,
With glad, young eyes and laughter sweet,
Who tosses back her strong, wild hair,
And saucy kisses flings to Care,
The while she laughs at her? Beware—
You who this winsome maiden meet!
She dances on a daisied throne,
About her waist a slender zone
Of dandelion’s gold; her eyes
Are softer than the summer skies,
And blue as violets; and lies
A tearful laughter in her tone.
She reaches dimpled arms and bare;
Her breath is sweet as wild-rose air;
She sighs, she smiles, she glances down,
Her brows meet in a sudden frown;
She laughs; then tears the violets drown—
If you should meet her—ah, beware!
This poem was published in When the Birds Go North Again (The Macmillan Company, 1898). It is in the public domain.