like the way each small ear ends,
I like the black upon its face.
I feel its heart beat in my hand,
And then I somehow understand
So many things I didn't know:
I'm kinder, and my voice is low;
And I close doors more softly, too,
And do the things I'm told to do,
Instead of wishing they were done.
--But mother says we mayn't have one.

I want a kitten all my own
To play with when I'm left alone,
And when the family's gone away
To shop, and work, and call, and play
Tennis and other things. It's all
So queer and lonely in the hall
And in the parlor, too, and in
The sitting-room, where words have been
But are not now. The chairs and I
Wait through the hours, till by-and-by,
Our only playmates little fears--
There's room in all our lives, I think,
For one small kitten, black as ink
With two white spots behind its ears.

[Illustration: I LIKE THE KITTEN OF MY FRIENDS]

SKY-COLOR

Blue skies are very apt to fade;
Dark colors wear the best, it's true--
But who would choose a useful shade?
I want mine blue!

LEFT OUT

If shoemakers' children are left with feet bare
I've wondered and wondered (I don't think it's fair)
If maybe at Christmas there aren't any toys
Left over for Santa Claus' own girls and boys!

THE WHITE BIRCH

A white birch grows
In the deepest wood.
If you are good
And the stars are right
--Who knows?--
You may see, some night,
The nymphs stand under
The sea-green heave
Of its boughs, in a row.
--But if you wonder,
They will fade and go.
--You must just believe!

THE PLAYMATE

Last year I played with the country,
This year, with the sea,
Now the queer old city
Stops and plays with me.--

Stops in its counting of pennies
(It never, never fails
To know the time I'm going to bed)--
And tells me fairy tales.

THANKSGIVING

The turkey is a mournful bird
From all that I have ever heard;
If he could live this day to see
How very thankful he would be!

THE NEST

That tree has a nest,
And if I lie
Quite still, and if I
Have luck, I may see
Two heads or three
Stretched out. Hark! hark!
Wings sound! And a dark
Shadow comes flying
Through boughs. They are trying
To reach the food that the large bird brings.
Unfinished wings
Are such curious things!
They are almost old enough to