@3Slim woodland faun who stands upon the brink Of that cool, unforgotten swimming-hole, While spying, leaf-checked sunbeams seem to wink A sly condonement of the hours you stole From cramping seat and unrelenting book In yon slave-laden galley known as school; I note one backward, gay, defiant look And then your shout ends gurgling in the pool. I see you, boy, and standing closely by I see a figure that you did not see— A sprite with wind-blown hair and dancing eye, Who leaped with you and laughed to find you free. And while your gay companions, Wind and Sun, Tousled your hair or peppered all your face With tell-tale freckles when the game was done, The sprite was near you in that grassy place. Though you may leave me, lad I cherish so, I bear no grudge because you draw away, Save that you lure her with you as you go, That mate you never saw, whose name was Play. I know her now. Sometimes her laughing eyes Shine kindly at me as she dances past. No painted jade may trick me in her guise, My heart so holds her image true and fast. Departing boy, who trod that grassy place Beside your well-remembered Lethe's pool Which splashed so gaily when its glad embrace Drowned every glooming thought of books and school, I'll let you go ungrudging. Years unfold Full compensations; dear lad, go your way, If you'll but leave me some small rightful hold On that gay sprite of yours whose name is Play.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DIVIDE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SOUVENIR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 6. SUNSET IN THE TROPICS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE DAY AND THE WORK by EDWIN MARKHAM A FOOL, A FOUL THING, A DISTRESSFUL LUNATIC by MARIANNE MOORE GOLDWING MOTH by CARL SANDBURG |