Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PLUME, by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN Poet's Biography First Line: Here is a gift,' the brownie said Last Line: Of flattering love, or wealth, or fame. Subject(s): Quills; Wishes | ||||||||
"HERE is a gift," the Brownie said, As something fell on the little maid's head -- "A golden feather with silver bars Of the Faraway Bird who sings to the stars; A beautiful plume to use as you will, Fortunate friend on top of the hill! Fasten it into your curly hair; Love will follow and find you fair. Put it into the Magi's hands; They will pay you with gold and lands. Feather a shaft with the magic thing, And bring down Fame with a crippled wing. Other wonders the plume can do, But I would n't bother, if I were you!" Now the queer little maid on top of the hill Clipped the plume to a scratchy quill -- The golden feather with silver bars Of the Faraway Bird who sings to the stars! She wrote and wrote, all night, all day, The curious things it made her say -- Wonder-tales and whimsical rhymes, Faraway deeds from faraway times, Told for the clamorous boys and girls, With bangs and braids, with clips and curls. The children laughed and clapped and cried -- "Tell it again! Tell more beside!" Then the queer little maid was proud and glad, And this was the good of the gift she had -- The magical plume of the Faraway Bird. But the Brownie sighed, for never a word To the busy house on the hilltop came Of flattering love, or wealth, or fame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...O TO BE A DRAGON by MARIANNE MOORE FOUNTAIN IN AVIGNON by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 1. THE GOOD OGRE'S BEARD by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR I WANT THIS CORNER EMPTY (PERSEPHONE SPEAKING)' by JULIE CARR THE THREE WISHES by BILLY COLLINS A-WISHING WELL by ROBERT FROST A CHARM SAID UNDER AN OAK by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN |
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