My thoughts are like fleas, Eternally skipping. I try as I please To prevent their slipping, To probe them for more meant

The idle wind blows all the day. I wish it blew my care away. The idle wind blows all day long And weaves a burden to my song Upon the melancholy flight

Sing a little, play a little, Laugh a little; for Life is so extremely brittle, Who would think of more? Every long-laid project shatters,

I had visited her often, Long had sought, with vain endeavo… Her obdurate heart to soften; But she answered, ‘never, never.’ Then it softened and ran widely,

When I was little, My life was half fear. My nerves were as brittle As nature may bear. Shapes monstrous would follow

Silly little bird, Singing of its love, Sang and never heard Winds of wrath above. Winds of wrath came down,

She fled me through the meadow, She fled me o’er the hill. With such a fling she fled, oh, She may be flying still. But doubtless she grew weary

I think about God. Yet I talk of small matters. Now isn’t it odd How my idle tongue chatters! Of quarrelsome neighbors,

Just to utter a word, That is all I desire; That may still be heard, When I expire; That still may glow,

Hist! Zop! The world is all awry. Think that you can mend it? Take a turn and try. Virtue gets a fall or two,

The ghost of night’s long hours de… In congregation dreary, And leave my sorrow-trampled heart Intolerably weary. But Chirpings bright in dewy wood…

My life is governed by the clock, All duly mapped and plotted; And only with a nervous shock I miss the time allotted. My course without has always been

Down come the leaves, Like fleeting years, Or idle tears Of love that grieves. A tinkling trill,

I deliver a lecture And pour out my soul, Its full architecture, All rounded and whole. But with those I love best

They met, as it were, in a mist, Pale, curious, eager, uncertain. When each clasped the other and ki… The mist rolled aside like a curta… There were fields of delight to ex…