From fall to spring the russet acorn, Fruit beloved of maid and boy, Lent itself beneath the forest, To be the children's toy. Pluck it now! In vain, -- thou canst not; Its root has pierced yon shady mound; Toy no longer -- it has duties; It is anchored in the ground. Year by year the rose-lipped maiden, Playfellow of young and old, Was frolic sunshine, dear to all men, More dear to one than mines of gold. Whither went the lovely hoyden? Disappeared in blessed wife; Servant to a wooden cradle, Living in a baby's life Still thou playest; -- short vacation Fate grants each to stand aside; Now must thou be man and artist, -- 'Tis the turning of the tide. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JEWISH LULLABY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER CA' THE YOWES TO THE KNOWES by ROBERT BURNS RHOECUS by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE ROMANCE OF THE LILY by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES PSALM 5. VERBA MEA AURIBUS by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE TO A LITTLE NIECE by LEVI BISHOP AFTERWARDS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN TO F.A.B., A VIRTUOUS YOUNG PHYSICIAN ABOUT TO PRACTISE by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB |