The String of Sunfish 



Let me dream once more of childhood, 

 When, a truant from the school, 



I went roaming through the wildwood, 

 Searching for a shady pool. 



Where, with pole and line and pin-hook, 

 Stole the golden hours away; 



Future chances risked so lightly 

 For that sport of summer day. 



One poor little string of sunfish, 



Shrunk and withered soon were they; 



And sad twilight brought the feeling, 

 Better had I stayed away! 



It was weary, trudging homeward; 



Luck, to reach there in good time; 

 And the lie I had been planning, 



Loomed before me like a crime. 



Still, those days were sweeter, brighter, 

 Than the days to come can be; 



Was it that my heart was lighter 

 Or, perchance, that I was free? 



13 



