God make my life a little light, Within the world to glow,– A tiny flame that burneth bright, Wherever I may go. God make my life a little flower, That giveth joy to all;– Content to bloom in native bower Although its place be small. God make my life a little song, That comforteth the [...]

Continue Reading Matilda B. Edwards – A CHILD’S PRAYER POEM

Men — especially married men — should refrain from dreaming about a Perfect Wife. The wife God gave you is perfect for you: that should be enough. Nevertheless, if I had to describe the Perfect Wife, her characteristics would look like this … First and foremost, the perfect wife will be a Catholic who is [...]

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The pig and the hen, They both got in one pen, And the hen said she wouldn’t go out. “Mistress Hen,” says the pig, “Don’t you be quite so big!” And he gave her a push with his snout. “You are rough, and you’re fat, But who cares for all that; I will stay if [...]

Continue Reading ALICE AND PHOEBE CARY – THE PIG AND THE HEN POEM

Come, follow, follow me– You, fairy elves that be, Which circle on the green– Come, follow Mab, your queen! Hand in hand let’s dance around, For this place is fairy ground. When mortals are at rest, And snoring in their nest, Unheard and unespied, Through keyholes we do glide; Over tables, stools, and shelves, We [...]

Continue Reading THE FAIRY QUEEN POEM

Once the Emperor Charles of Spain, With his swarthy, grave commanders, I forget in what campaign, Long besieged, in mud and rain, Some old frontier town of Flanders. Up and down the dreary camp, In great boots of Spanish leather, Striding with a measured tramp, These Hidalgos, dull and damp, Cursed the Frenchmen, cursed the [...]

Continue Reading HENRY W. LONGFELLOW – THE EMPEROR’S BIRD’S-NEST POEM

THE ARROW AND THE SONG POETRY. I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight. I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For who has sight so [...]

Continue Reading HENRY W. LONGFELLOW – THE ARROW AND THE SONG POEM

Forth upon the Gitche Gumee, On the shining Big-Sea-Water, With his fishing-line of cedar, Of the twisted bark of cedar, Forth to catch the sturgeon Nahma, Mishe-Nahma, King of Fishes, In his birch canoe exulting All alone went Hiawatha. Through the clear, transparent water He could see the fishes swimming Far down in the depths [...]

Continue Reading HENRY W. LONGFELLOW – HIAWATHA’S FISHING POEM

It was a hungry pussy cat, upon Thanksgiving morn, And she watched a thankful little mouse, that ate an ear of corn. “If I ate that thankful little mouse, how thankful he should be, When he has made a meal himself, to make a meal for me! “Then with his thanks for having fed, and [...]

Continue Reading Oliver Herford – A THANKSGIVING FABLE POEM