In winter, when the fields are white, I sing this song for your delight -- In spring, when woods are growing green, I'll try and tell you what I mean. In summer, when the days are long, Perhaps you'll understand the song. In autumn, when the leaves are brown, Take pen and ink and write it down. I sent a message to the fish: I told them "This is the wish." The little fishes of the sea, They sent an answer back to me. The little fishes' answer was "We cannot do it, Sir, because --" I sent to them again to say "It will be better to obey." The fishes answered with a grin, "Why, what a temper you are in!" I told them once, I told them twice: They would not listen to advice. I took a kettle large and new, Fit for the deed I had to do. My heart went hop, my heart went thump; I filled the kettle at the pump. Then someone came to me and said "The little fishes are in bed." I said to him, I said it plain, "Then you must wake them up again." I said it loud and very clear; I went and shouted in his ear. But he was very stiff and proud; -- He said "I'd go and wake them, if --" I took a corkscrew from the shelf: I went to wake them up myself. And when I found the door was locked, I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked. And when I found the door was shut, I tried to turn the handle, but --. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WANDERINGS OF OISIN by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS MERLIN'S PROPHESY by WILLIAM BLAKE SONNET (ON AN OLD BOOK WITH UNCUT LEAVES) by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR LAMENT OF THE FRONTIER GUARD by LI PO MAN, THE MAN-HUNTER by CARL SANDBURG RIDDLE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |