d were rain,
If there weren't anywhere to dine
And goose-flesh quivered up my spine--
I _might_ come home again!

Spring Wish

A frog's a very happy thing,
Cool and green in early spring,
Quick and silver through the pool,
With no thought of books or school.

Oh, I want to be a frog,
Sunning, stretching on a log,
Blinking there in splendid ease,
Swimming naked when I please,
Nosing into magic nooks,
Quiet marshes, noisy brooks.

Free! And fit for anything!
Oh, to be a frog in spring!

Ambition

If I were a rocket
Shot high across the night,
I'd rather burst in silver stars
Than green or purple light;

For then, perhaps, I'd fool the moon,
Although she's very wise,
And thinking me a baby star
She'd keep me in the skies.

Dreams

I'd like to dream my own dreams,
Instead of dreaming those
The silly sandman brings along
Like moving picture shows.

I'd like to dream of palaces,
Of magic meadowlands,
Of silver gates and golden thrones
And chanting fairy bands;

Of seas of spraying jewels,
Of dancing crystal ships,
Of the queen of all the elves herself--
Two rubies for her lips;

But, alas! I never dream such things,
And when I jump and wake
As an oozy ogre clutches me--
It's just a stomach ache!

Water-Lily

I'd like to be a water-lily sleeping on the river,
Where solemn rushes whisper, and funny ripples quiver.
All day I'd watch the blue sky--all night I'd watch the black,
Floating in the soft waves, dreaming on my back,
And when I'd tired of dreaming, I'd call a passing fish,
"I want to find the sea!" I'd shout, "Come! You can grant my wish!"

He'd bite me from my moorings, and softly I would slip
To the center of the river like an ocean-going ship.
The waves would laugh upon me. The wind would blow me fast,
And oh, what shores and wonders would greet me as I passed!
Yes, if I were a water-lily, I'd sail to sea in state--
A green frog for my captain--and a dragon-fly for mate!

Humor

Have you ever watched the clowns at play,
White, red and black on circus day?
They're always very, very gay.
I wonder how they stay that way!

I'd like to be a clown,
Playing tric