Robert Louis Stevenson

Looking-Glass River

Smooth it glides upon its travel,
Here a wimple, there a gleam—
O the clean gravel!
O the smooth stream!
 
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,
Pave pools as clear as air—
How a child wishes
To live down there!
 
We can see our colored faces
Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool;
 
Till a wind or water wrinkle,
Dipping marten, plumping trout,
Spreads in a twinkle
And blots all out.
 
See the rings pursue each other;
All below grows black as night,
Just as if mother
Had blown out the light!
 
Patience, children, just a minute—
See the spreading circles die;
The stream and all in it
Will clear by—and—by.
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