Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

I SAID THERE WERE NO FAIRIES by BEULA CHAMBERLAIN

First Line: I SAID THERE WERE NO FAIRIES, YESTERDAY
Last Line: TO ANY MORTAL WHO HAD HURT THEM SO.
Subject(s): FAIRIES; ELVES;
I said there were no fairies, yesterday,
Nor elves, nor dryads. Such things could not be.
Now I watch humbly by their trysting-tree
Trying to coax them to come out and play.
But though I bring white moon-flowers to lay
Before their feet, and chant the Magic Three,
I know they never will return to me.
They heard my laughter, and have gone away.

Perhaps, because they are such gentle things,
Fashioned of subtle, effervescent stuff,
A single word of scorn would be enough
To break their hearts and bruise their radiant wings.
They could not trust the secrets which they know
To any mortal who had hurt them so.



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