Part 7 (1/2)

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 s.h.i.+p upon the tide!

A pirate, a pirate!

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