Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GARDEN RIVALS, by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GARDEN RIVALS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Pansy in the garden-bed
Last Line: "likes the larkspur best of all!"
Subject(s): Beauty; Carnations; Flowers; Gardens & Gardening; Roses


PANSY in the garden-bed
To a Johnnie-jump-up said:
"Surely you are not connected
With the Pansy family tree?
You are much too small and sickly,
And your blossom fades too quickly—
Yet I heard some children saying
That they thought you looked like me!"

Johnnie-jump-up merely smiled:
"You are tame and I am wild,
But that there's a close resemblance
Any little child can see.
You are in the garden growing,
I, outside, still there's no knowing
But that you and I are cousins—
Nearer relatives, maybe!"

Said the listening Hollyhock:
"How you silly flowers talk!
I'm amazed such haughty spirit
In such humble things to see!
If you both were tall and graceful,
If you wore a dress as tasteful
As the one I wear, 'twere easy
To excuse your vanity!"

White Rose nodded to Rose Red,
"Did you notice that?" she said.
"Strange indeed, that homely flowers
Always boast how well they're dressed!
Did you hear the Wind say lately
'Stiff things always think they're stately
But for perfect grace and beauty
Give me—' you can guess the rest!"

"Doubtless he referred to me,"
Said Carnation Pink; "you see
Some are born to grace and beauty—
'Tis admitted by the wise—
And Carnation Pinks inherit
Beauty, with the grace to wear it—
Not that I would boast about it,
Only—well, just use your eyes!"

Larkspur timidly peeped out:
"What is all the strife about?
Every flower has some beauty—
Don't you think so? Why, then, fall
To debating with each other?
Some like one and some another—
One, I know (his taste is famous)
Likes the Larkspur best of all!"





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