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Jewett's Poems
VERSES FOR A LETTER.Sarah O. Jewett Did you send out a little white moth
On an errand to-night?
For one hovered and lingered about
With a flutter so light:A tired little moth, with his wings
Like a flower that had blown
All away on the breath of a wind
That had kissed it and flown.Did you tell him to hurry, and fly
Through the shadows so fast,
Because I would wait all alone
Till the twilight was past?For later the lamps would be lit,
And I should go down
To listen to laughter and talk
Of the news of the town.But my own time is just at the hour
While the clouds fade away; --
I could not help wishing for you,
And my thoughts were astray.And the little white moth fluttered in
With the love you had sent;
My heart in that minute could tell
Just the words you had meant.I knew we were so far apart,
I was tired and sad;
But the little moth brought me your love,
And then I was glad.
Note
"Verses for a Letter" appeared in Atlantic Monthly (45:568-569) in April 1880.Edited by Terry Heller, Coe College.