When I was small, great joy it was to see
Your button-box: the deathless comedy
Of blowing on the lid enacted, wide
It flew, I scanned the treasure-trove tongue-tied,
Cassim in caves of Haberdashery!
The small pearl “glove” evoked essential glee,
The large white linen was an ecstasy
And each gilt hook was covetously eyed
When I was small.
Lost are the clothes whereon those buttons be—
But not the love that planned the stitchery,
The button-baby is herself a bride—
But sends you this with love, and writes inside
“You are far dearer than you were to me
When I was small.”