Melissa was a strange, strange child; Less human she appeared than elfin; With thoughts as wild and eyes as dark As dusky caves she hid herself in. Shy chipmunks were at ease with her; And squirrels poised upon her knee. She loosed her sweet, self-fashioned songs With tilted head against a tree. She floated like a wisp of cloud Up mountain trails too steep and high. At night, her swiftness trapped in bed, Her bright, caged eyes would find the sky. With windy spaces her delight; And wayward paths to roam at will -- Oh, now it must be hard for her To be so mute and lie so still. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEGY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD by THOMAS GRAY THE ROSE AND THORN by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE THE DEATH OF AUTUMN by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY SOJOURN IN THE WHALE by MARIANNE MOORE THE THROSTLE by ALFRED TENNYSON THE BLACKBIRD by WILLIAM BARNES |