Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
Pussy Willow
By Annie Douglas (Green) Robinson (1842–1913)T
The maple sap is running,
And on the highest elm a crow
His big black wings is sunning.
A close green bud the May-flower lies
Upon its mossy pillow;
And soft and low the South wind blows,
And through the bare fields calling goes,
“Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow!
Within your close brown wrapper stir!
Come out and show your silver fur!
Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow!”
The bluebirds will be singing,
And yellow tassels in the breeze
Be from the poplars swinging;
And rosy will the May-flower lie
Upon its mossy pillow,
But you must come the first of all.
“Come, Pussy!” is the South wind’s call—
“Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow!
A fairy gift to children dear,
The downy firstling of the year—
Come, Pussy! Pussy Willow!”