To James Whitcomb Riley + 

On His “Book of Joyous Children” + 

Yours is a garden of old-fashioned flowers; + 

Joyous children delight to play there; + 

Weary men find rest in its bowers, + 

Watching the lingering light of day there. + 

Old-time tunes and young love-laughter + 

Ripple and run among the roses; + 

Memory’s echoes, murmuring after, + 

Fill the dusk when the long day closes. + 

Simple songs with a cadence olden⁠— + 

These you learned in the Forest of Arden: + 

Friendly flowers with hearts all golden⁠— + 

These you borrowed from Eden’s garden. + 

This is the reason why all men love you; + 

Truth to life is the finest art: + 

Other poets may soar above you⁠— + 

You keep close to the human heart. + 