She entered to the courtroom, and took the prisoners’ stand;
Her filmy gown was yellow as the primrose in her hand;
Her limbs were hued of honey, her zoneless hair of gold,
Her eyes were pools of reverie on stories yet untold.
They read the charge of arson, and all the watchers gasped
At her who only round her head her tawny fingers clasped;
They asked her name and calling, and hardened hearts stood still,
As lilting lips made answer, “Mabina-of-the-Hill.”
“I am a nymph, a fairy — there are none such today?
“Nay, fairies, while there’s children, will never pass away;
“And that is just the reason I came to town to see
“What’s happened to the children who are my life to me!
“They come so frail and leaden-limbed to paddle in my streams,
“Their eyes hint days of misery, and nights of hateful dreams;
“I wished to learn what shades of shame could mutilate them so;
“I came to see the city, and now, My Lord, I know!
“You coop them into tenements a poltergeist would shun;
“They play in lanes and garbage dumps that mock the cleansing sun;
“They thrill in fetid movie-shows, agape at Life’s abysses,
“And never see a sunset glow, or feel the breezes’ kisses!
“They eat — My Lord, could you but know! I’ve children on relief!
“They come to me as wasted wan as last year’s ashen leaf!
“I tried to burn your city! It’s cruel and vile, untrue!
“I tried to burn your city! I failed; and now, adieu.”
The prisoners’ dock was empty, but through a grimy pane,
His Lordship gazed in wonder upon the garbage lane;
With eyes enthralled in rapture no judge could understand,
A ragged child stood staring at the primrose in her hand.
(Burnett A. Ward)
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Based on Topics: Life Poems, Sadness Poems, Dreams Poems, Gold Poems, Law & Regulation Poems, Children Poems, Cities Poems, Kiss Poems, Curiosity Poems, Reasoning Poems, Fairy PoemsBased on Keywords: dumps, hued, abysses, coop, fetid, tenements, courtroom, mutilate, arson, poltergeist