 | A merry-go-round of song |  |
104
THE WISE HOLLYHOCK
A hollyhock with a charming flock
Of yellowy knobs, about the colour
Of Timothy's hair, though a trifle duller,
Grew long in the leg and stood up tall
Over the top of the orchard wall
(As if it followed a golden flute
By a Fairy blown), in spite of the call
Of an apple-cheeked boy in a man-o'-war suit.
“Bloom as I want!” cried the apple-cheeked boy,
“For I love you as much as my favourite toy.
Bloom prettily down to my fingers and stop
This ridiculous blooming from bottom to top!
Are you listening?”
Of yellowy knobs, about the colour
Of Timothy's hair, though a trifle duller,
Grew long in the leg and stood up tall
Over the top of the orchard wall
(As if it followed a golden flute
By a Fairy blown), in spite of the call
Of an apple-cheeked boy in a man-o'-war suit.
“Bloom as I want!” cried the apple-cheeked boy,
“For I love you as much as my favourite toy.
Bloom prettily down to my fingers and stop
This ridiculous blooming from bottom to top!
Are you listening?”
The hollyhock with the charming flock
Of yellowy knobs, about the tinting
Of Timothy's hair, though not so glinting,
At last was gentle enough to stay
A minute or two on its heavenward way,
No longer deaf and no longer mute,
But willing to say its sensible say
To the apple-cheeked boy in the man-o'-war suit.
“Never bloom down!” cried the flower, with a will,
“For the best road to travel is always uphill.
Add beauty to beauty, and mind you don't stop
Till you've flowered in my fashion—from bottom to top!
Are you listening?”
Of yellowy knobs, about the tinting
Of Timothy's hair, though not so glinting,
At last was gentle enough to stay
A minute or two on its heavenward way,
No longer deaf and no longer mute,
But willing to say its sensible say
To the apple-cheeked boy in the man-o'-war suit.
“Never bloom down!” cried the flower, with a will,
“For the best road to travel is always uphill.
Add beauty to beauty, and mind you don't stop
Till you've flowered in my fashion—from bottom to top!
Are you listening?”
| A merry-go-round of song | |