William Allingham

Blowing Bubbles

See the pretty planet!

Floating sphere!

Faintest breeze will fan it

Far or near;


World as light as feather;

Moonshine rays,

Rainbow tints together,

As it plays.


Drooping, sinking, failing,

Nigh to earth,

Mounting, whirling, sailing,

Full of mirth;


Life there, welling, flowing,

Waving round;

Pictures coming, going,

Without sound.


Quick now, be this airy

Globe repelled!

Never can the fairy

Star be held.


Touched—it in a twinkle

Disappears!

Leaving but a sprinkle,

As of tears.