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Come to the pane, draw the curtain apart,
There she is passing, the girl of my heart;
See where she walks like a queen in the street,
Weather-defying, calm, placid and sweet.
Tripping along with impetuous grace,
Joy of her life beaming out of her face,
Tresses all truant-like, curl upon curl,
Wind-blown and rosy, my little March girl.
Hint of the violet's delicate bloom,
Hint of the rose's pervading perfume!
How can the wind help from kissing her face,--
Wrapping her round in his stormy embrace?
But still serenely she laughs at his rout,
She is the victor who wins in the bout.
So may life's passions about her soul swirl,
Leaving it placid,--my little March girl.
What self-possession looks out of her eyes!
What are the wild winds, and what are the skies,
Frowning and glooming when, brimming with life,
Cometh the little maid ripe for the strife?
Ah! Wind, and bah! Wind, what might have you now?
What can you do with that innocent brow?
Blow, Wind, and grow, Wind, and eddy and swirl,
But bring her to me, Wind,--my little March girl.
This poem is in the public domain.
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Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) was from Ohio. He wrote his first poem at the age of six, was editor of his high school newspaper, and published his first book at twenty. His writing attracted attention from the very beginning, and Paul became well-known in both America and around the world. Like James Whitcomb Riley, who was a fan of his young contemporary's work, Paul wrote many of his poems in dialect. Besides a dozen books of poetry, Paul wrote four short story collections, five novels, a play, and the first Broadway musical ever written and performed by African-Americans. A tremendously successful poet whose work was being published in all the major literary publications of his day, Paul's life was cut tragically short by tuberculosis.
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Anastasia:
Such vivid images! Another one to keep. Thank you, Jayne!
Posted 03/03/2022 12:43 PM
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Jancan:
To say that this is a beautiful, skillfully written poem is an understatement!
Posted 03/02/2022 05:02 PM
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KevinArnold:
Fun; a wonderful find. Thanks Jayne.
Posted 03/02/2022 09:14 AM
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cork:
It is the 2nd day of March, and I see her beauty from my window. Thank you, Laurence.
Posted 03/02/2022 09:06 AM
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Michael:
Thank you, Jayne, for this marvelous example of a truly talented poet. A giant of his generation and a profound loss to the world of letters, dying at such a young age. Mr. Dunbar's list of accomplishments would be the envy of many who wrote for a lifetime.
Posted 03/02/2022 08:50 AM
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paradea:
Love this poem!!
Posted 03/02/2022 08:23 AM
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Darrell Arnold:
I love seeing Dunbar's name come around in the poetry roster. He presents a level of thinking that I am not sure I can attain. My observations of the world are usually just what's in front of my face. Dunbar sees and feels beyond the obvious. Clever and beautiful rhyming. The last four lines are exceptional.
Posted 03/02/2022 07:48 AM
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