Flower Children

All alone the Ghost-Flower stood,
Like a moonbeam dressed in white, —
Such a very pretty sight.

GOLDEN-ROD, the lucky chappy,
Grew up strong and tall and happy.
Slept out doors, if you ’ll remember,
All those cold nights in September.

MADAME DAHLIA, like her name,
Is a very stately dame;
Her family is so polite,
It is a joy to meet them, quite.

MISS California Poppy said
She liked the sunshine on her head,
Though her friends might think her foolish,
Thought this country rather coolish.

CORN FLOWER, Bachelor Button’s sister —
Gay young dog, he never missed her —
Went to live with Mrs. Corn,
So she would not be forlorn.

CAT-TAIL, growing in the marsh,
Thought his Mother very harsh,
Because she wouldn’t let him play
With Blue Flag-lilies all the day.

PRINCE’S FEATHER, straight and tall,
Grew against the garden wall;
Did n’t care to play, said he
Came of a royal family.

CRIMSON RAMBLER one day said,
He did n’t like the old homestead;
Thought he ’d travel, so he went
Over the wall on mischief bent.

GRANDDAD SAGE, the dear old man,
Says it is a splendid plan
For all young children to obey;
Says they did so in his day.

NOW LET the banners be unfurled,
To greet the fairest of the world;
Come Roses all, and pay your duty:
Madame the Queen, American Beauty!

GOLDEN-GLOW said “Well, I know
I 'm just going to start and grow.”
Liked it ’way up in the air —
Sent back word he ’d stay up there.

BACHELOR BUTTON, O, most shocking!
Found a hole in his silk stocking;
But he mended it so neatly,
Covered up the place completely.

JOLLY SUNFLOWER, big and yellow,
Said: “I’m sure a lucky fellow.
To be small must seem so queer —
I get a splendid view from here.”

STATELY Lady Hollyhock,
In a lovely colored frock,
Taught her children every day
Precisely what to do and say.

ZINNIA stands so very straight
Just inside the garden gate;
Sometimes single, sometimes double,
Never gives a bit of trouble.

BITTER-SWEET concluded she
Would live with some good, friendly tree;
Went to visit Madame Oak,
Stayed all winter, for a joke.

SAUCY LITTLE Black-eyed Susan,
When her mother caught her snoozin’,
Rubbed her sleepy eyes and said
She guessed she ’d toddle off to bed.

NIGHTSHADE has a purple berry,
But he is very naughty, very;
Little children never should
Play with one who isn’t good.

GENTIAN growing by the brook,
Bending low to get a look
At her pretty face so sweet,
Stepped too near and wet her feet.

SCARLET POPPY in the wheat,
Said she ’d like some grains to eat,
But when Head Wheat gave her some
She made believe 't was chewing-gum.

MULLEIN grew up rough-and-tumble.