Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN THE HAMMOCK, by ROSE TERRY COOKE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE HAMMOCK, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: How the stars shine out at sea!
Last Line: And my eyes shine -- I've been swinging.
Subject(s): Hammocks; Wind


How the stars shine out at sea!
Swing me, Tita! Faster, girl!
I'm a hang-bird in her nest,
All with scarlet blossoms drest,
Swinging where the winds blow free.

Ah! how white the moonlight falls.
Catch my slipper! there it goes,
Where that single fire-fly shines,
Tangled in the heavy vines,
Creeping by the convent walls.

Ay de mi! to be a nun!
Juana takes the veil to-day,
She hears mass behind a grate,
While for me ten lovers wait
At the door till mass is done.

Swing me, Tita! Seven are tall.
Two are crooked, rich, and old,
But the other -- he's too small;
Did you hear a pebble fall?
And his blue eyes are too cold.

If I were a little nun,
When I heard that voice below,
I should scale the convent wall;
I should follow at his call,
Shuddering through the dreadful snow.

Tita! Tita! hold me still!
Now the vesper bell is ringing,
Bring me quick my beads and veil.
Yes, I know my cheek is pale
And my eyes shine -- I've been swinging.





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