Somebody's sent a funny little valentine to me.
It's a bunch of baby-roses in a vase of filigree,
And hovering above them--just as cute as he can be--
Is a fairy Cupid tangled in a scarf of poetry.
And the prankish little fellow looks so knowing in his glee,
With his golden bow and arrow, aiming most unerringly
At a pair of hearts so labeled that I may read and see
That one is meant for "One Who Loves," and one is meant for me.
But I know the lad who sent it! It's as plain as A-B-C!--
For the roses they are _blushing_, and the vase stands _awkwardly_,
And the little god above it--though as cute as he can be--
Can not breathe the lightest whisper of his burning love for me.
{141}
[Illustration: Christmas greeting--headpiece]