Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PLAY-SPRITE, by BURGES JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PLAY-SPRITE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Slim woodland faun who stands upon the brink
Last Line: On that gay sprite of yours whose name is play.
Subject(s): Children; Play; Childhood


Slim woodland faun who stands upon the brink
Of that cool, unforgotten swimming-hole,
While spying, leaf-checked sunbeams seem to wink
A sly condonement of the hours you stole
From cramping seat and unrelenting book
In yon slave-laden galley known as school;
I note one backward, gay, defiant look
And then your shout ends gurgling in the pool.

I see you, boy, and standing closely by
I see a figure that you did not see—
A sprite with wind-blown hair and dancing eye,
Who leaped with you and laughed to find you free.
And while your gay companions, Wind and Sun,
Tousled your hair or peppered all your face
With tell-tale freckles when the game was done,
The sprite was near you in that grassy place.

Though you may leave me, lad I cherish so,
I bear no grudge because you draw away,
Save that you lure her with you as you go,
That mate you never saw, whose name was Play.
I know her now. Sometimes her laughing eyes
Shine kindly at me as she dances past.
No painted jade may trick me in her guise,
My heart so holds her image true and fast.

Departing boy, who trod that grassy place
Beside your well-remembered Lethe's pool
Which splashed so gaily when its glad embrace
Drowned every glooming thought of books and school,
I'll let you go ungrudging. Years unfold
Full compensations; dear lad, go your way,
If you'll but leave me some small rightful hold
On that gay sprite of yours whose name is Play.





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