Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LELLOINE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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LELLOINE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tiny queen / lelloine!
Last Line: All your meaning, lelloine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Fantasy; Laughter; Smiles


I

TINY queen,
Lelloine!
Little eyes laugh out between
Dimpled fingers that were busy
But a weary moment since
Mischief-making -- for she is a
Match for Puck, the fairy prince!
She must ever be advancing
Some new prank; and laughing, dancing,
Disappearing at the door,
Like a sunbeam leaving shaded
All that was so bright before --
Like a sunbeam leaving faded
Flowers on the floor.
O, you joking, dear provoking,
Little laughing Lelloine!

II

Calm, serene,
Lelloine!
Lying lily-like between
The blurred leaves of life and love
That our wet eyes bend above,
Lisp nor laughter on the lips:
Two white rose-leaves now eclipse
Such of glances as the chance
Dimple dances in advance.
Darling! Darling! tell us why
You do neither laugh nor cry;
Even though you moaned in pain,
We could be so glad again!
What unchanging smile is this
That we shudder so to kiss?
Hearts are leaning low to glean
All your meaning, Lelloine.





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