Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TOY SOLDIER'S VALENTINE, by RAY CLARKE ROSE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TOY SOLDIER'S VALENTINE, by                    
First Line: It was valentine day and the toy folk were gay
Last Line: Ran away with each other. I'm glad, are n't you?
Subject(s): Holidays; Soldiers; Toys; Valentine's Day


It was Valentine day and the toy folk were gay;
But the little toy soldier was blue as could be,
For his heart was of lead, and he stood on his head
In a crack of the nursery floor, you see!
He had fallen that way, and in love, too, they say,
When the yellow-haired baby had asked him to play;
And from that day to this he had longed for the bliss
Of a kiss from that dimpled and rosy young miss.

But who ever heard of a dear little bird
Of a baby a-kissing toy soldiers—did you?
So the rubber doll laughed and the Noah's ark chaffed,
And the calico kitten said "Me-ow-oo′!"
And they all of them ran to the toy-soldier man
And said: "Run away with the girl if you can!"
Now, this is too bad, for the toy soldier had
Lost both his legs in a battle—poor lad!

But the big, golden Sun, he had seen all the fun
That was made of the little toy soldier, and he
Just made up his mind that the others should find—
Well, something, I think you 'll agree;
For he sent a sunbeam with a dazzling gleam
To glow on the little toy soldier, full stream,
Till the dear fellow shone with a brightness, I 'll own,
As glowing as any that ever was known.

And then, pretty soon, I should say, about noon,
The yellow-haired baby appeared in the door;
And standing right there, first thing, I declare!
She saw the toy soldier ashine on the floor.
Then what do you think? As quick as a wink,
She caught the toy soldier and kissed him, ker-plink!
So without more ado the frolicksome two
Ran away with each other. I'm glad, are n't you?





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