PUSSY WILLOW.
Reading edition
BY MARIAN DOUGLAS.
The brook is brimmed with melted snow, The maple sap is running, And on the highest elm a crow His big black wings is sunning. A close green bud the May-flower lies Upon its mossy pillow; And sweet and low the South Wind blows, And through the brown fields calling goes, "Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow! Within your close brown wrapper stir; Come out and show your silver fur; Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow!" Soon red will bud the maple-trees, The bluebirds will be singing, And yellow tassels in the breeze Be from the poplars swinging; And rosy will the May-flower lie Upon its mossy pillow, But you must come the first of all. "Come, Pussy!" is the South Wind's call— "Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow!" A fairy gift to children dear, The downy firstling of the year— Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow!