Daffodils

“If I had but two loaves of bread, I would sell one and buy hyacinths.”—The Koran.

O DAFFODILS, bright daffodils,

I’d sell my other loaf for thee.

Thou art so sweet, I love thee so,

That thou art soul-bread unto me.

I’ve placed thee in a crystal vase,

As clear as crystal vase can be;

Hold high thy pretty yellow heads,

While I a story tell to thee.

Once up each side a garden path

Two lines of daffodils did stray,

Two golden chains of memory,

That link my childhood with to-day.

Up to an old colonial house,

From gate to doorsill, side by side,

Were daffodils in yellow gowns,

Gay daffodils—New England’s pride.

A little girl stood in the door,

Her heart was filled with love for thee,

First garden flowers of the spring,

O daffodils, that girl was me.