Poems (Dorr)/Choosing

by Julia Caroline Dorr

CHOOSING

Meadow-sweet or lily fair—
 Which shall it be?
Clematis or brier-rose,
 Blooming for me?
Spicy pink, or violet
With the dews of morning wet,
Sweet peas or mignonette—
 Which shall it be?

Flowers in the garden-beds,
 Flowers everywhere;
Blue-bells and yellow-bells
 Swinging in the air;
Purple pansies, golden pied;
Pink-white daisies, starry-eyed;
Gay nasturtiums, deeply dyed,
 Climbing everywhere!

Oh, the roses darkly red—
 See, how they burn!
Glows with all the summer heat
 Each crimson urn.
Bridal roses pure as snow,
Yellow roses all a-blow,
Sweet blush-roses drooping low,
 Wheresoe'er I turn!

Life is so full, so sweet—
 How can I choose?
If I gather this rose,
 that I must lose!
All are not for me to wear;
I can only have my share;
Thorns are hiding here and there;
 How can I choose?