Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/233



were always a dreamer. Rose, red Rose, As you swung on your perfumed spray, Swinging, and all the world was true, Swaying, what did it trouble you? A rose will fade in a day.

Why did you smile to his face, red Rose, As he whistled across your way? And all the world went mad for you. All the world it knelt to woo. A rose will bloom in a day.

I gather your petals, Rose, red Rose, The petals he threw away. And all the world derided you; Ah! the world, how well it knew A rose will fade in a day.