She did not speak, but from her eager glances
And smile I guessed she wanted me to play.
Lightly she touched my shoulder with her fingers,
Then fleet as any fawn she sped away.
And smile I guessed she wanted me to play.
Lightly she touched my shoulder with her fingers,
Then fleet as any fawn she sped away.
I pelted after, but though quick and nimble,
Not like that swift enchantress could I run.
We circled the great bed where gladioli
Stood up lance-straight in challenge to the sun.
Not like that swift enchantress could I run.
We circled the great bed where gladioli
Stood up lance-straight in challenge to the sun.
Past the low fence where coral-honeysuckle
Glowed fiery sweet, and tall blue larkspurs peered
Out of the yellow tangle of the cosmos,
And always she'd evade me when I neared
Glowed fiery sweet, and tall blue larkspurs peered
Out of the yellow tangle of the cosmos,
And always she'd evade me when I neared
Her fluttering skirts. We scampered helter-skelter
Across the croquet-lawn where balls still lay
Between the lurching wickets. I remember
How she looked back and laughed. And then, away
Across the croquet-lawn where balls still lay
Between the lurching wickets. I remember
How she looked back and laughed. And then, away
Down to the lofty hedge along whose greenness
Cherokee roses glimmered foamy white,
And flashed around it. But when I had followed
Through the small gateway she had vanished quite.
Cherokee roses glimmered foamy white,
And flashed around it. But when I had followed
Through the small gateway she had vanished quite.
I called and searched and called again, but nowhere
That airy, flashing presence could I see—
My great-aunts found me crying by the roadside
When through the thickening dusk they sought for me.
That airy, flashing presence could I see—
My great-aunts found me crying by the roadside
When through the thickening dusk they sought for me.
[ 3 ]
