Saturday Poetry Corner: Red Riding-Hood

 

Sweet little myth of the nursery story--

Earliest love of mine infantile breast,

Be something tangible, bloom in thy glory

Into existence, as thou art addressed!

Hasten! appear to me, guileless and good--

Thou art so dear to me, Red Riding-Hood!

Little Red Riding Hood
(1916)

Jessie Willcox Smith

(1863-1935)

American illustrator

Azure-blue eyes , in a marvel of wonder,

Over the dawn of a blush breaking out;

Sensitive nose, with a little smile under

Trying to hide in a blossoming pout--

Couldn't be serious, try as you would,

Little mysterious Red Riding-Hood!

Hah! little girl, it is desolate, lonely,

Out in this gloomy old forest of Life--

Here are not pansies and buttercups only--

Brambles and briers as keen as a knife;

And a Heart, ravenous, trails in the wood

For the meal have he must,--Red Riding-Hood!

"Red Riding-Hood"
James Whitcomb Riley
(1849-1916)
American poet, writer, and
best-selling author.
During his lifetime he was known
as the "Hoosier" and the "Children's" poet.