Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SOOTHERER, by JAMES STEPHENS Poet's Biography First Line: O little joy, why do you run so fast Last Line: Tra la la la laddy la.... Subject(s): Consolation; Love | ||||||||
O Little Joy, why do you run so fast Waving behind you as you go away Your tiny hand? You smiled at me and cast A silver apple, asking me to play: But when I ran to pick the apple up You ran the other way. Little One! White One! Shy Little Gay Sprite! Do you turn your head across your shoulder To mock at me? It is not right That you should laugh at me, for I am older: Throw me the silver apple once again You little scolder. I love you dearly, dearly, yes I do! I never saw a girl like you before In any place! You are more sweetly new Than a May Moon! You are my Store, My Secret and my Treasure and the Pulse Of my Heart's Core! Throw me the silver apple -- I will run To pick it up and give it you again: Dear Heart! Sweet Laugher! Throw it then for fun And not for me -- If you will but remain! ...Nay do not run; I'll stand thus far away And not complain. ...Never before -- or only one or two; I did not like them nearly half so well, Not half of half so well as I like you; Throw me the silver apple and I'll tell Their names, and what I used to say to them, -- The first was Nell. Throw me the apple, and I'll tell you more; -- She had a lovely face, but she was fat: We clung together when the rain would pour Under a tree or hedge, and often sat Through long, still, sunny hours -- Tell what she said? I'll not do that. I really couldn't, no, it would be wrong Caddish, unfair; I will not say a word Of any girl -- Your voice is like the song I heard this morning from a soaring bird ...I'll whisper then if you come close to me, -- You've hardly stirred! She said she loved me better than her life! -- You need not laugh, she said so anyway, And meant it too, and longed to be my wife: She kissed me many times, and wept to stay Within my arms, and did not ever want To go away. But she was fat, I will admit that's true: And so I hid when she came seeking me. If she had been as beautiful as you...! You are as slender as a growing tree, And when you move the blood goes leaping through The heart of me. The other girl? Yes, she is very fair! Her feet are lighter than the clouds on high; And there is morn and noonday in her hair; And mellow sunny evenings in her eye; And all day long she sings just like a lark Up in the sky. I say she did -- she loved me very well, And I loved her until -- ah, woe is me! Until to-day, when passing through the dell I came on you, and now I cannot see Her face at all, or any face but yours In memory. I ought to be ashamed! Well, amn't I? But that's no comfort when I'm in a trap: I tell you that I'll sit down here and die Unless you stay -- You do not care a rap -- Ah, Little Sweetheart, do not run away! ...Have pity on a chap! You'll go -- Then listen -- you are just a pig, A little wrinkled pig out of a sty; Your legs are crooked and your nose is big; You've got no calves; you've got a silly eye; I don't know why I stopped to talk to you; I hope you'll die. Now cry, go on, mew like a little cat, And rub your eyes and stamp and tear your wig; I see your ankles! Listen, they are fat, And so's your head. You're angled like a twig. Your back's all baggy, and your clothes don't fit, And your feet are big! She's gone! Bedad, she legged it like a hare! You'd think I had the itch, or had a face Like a blue monkey -- Keeps me standing there, Not good enough to touch her ...! Back I'll race And make it up with Breed, that's what I'll do, ...There is a flower that bloometh, Tra la la la laddy la.... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD |
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