In a Tenement

I think our alley 's darker nowSince once I went away—I can't exactly tell you how—In a strange place to playWith other children like myself,A whole long summer's day!

It was n't really there, I 'm sure—That place so strange to me,For nobody was cold or poor:It just was green, and free,And up above there seemed of blueA million miles to be.

The fairies live there!—little RuthThe lame girl told me so:Yes; and I know it for a truthThat there the fairies go,And cover over all the treesWith flowers white as snow.

The flowers made in FairylandHave breath—oh, breath that 's sweet!For once I held them in my hand—Far off from this dull street!—And looked down in their hearts and sawThe tracks of fairy feet.

I dream at night of that strange place,And in my dream, quite near,They dance about before my face,—The fairies kind and dear;And, oh, I want to go to them!You see, they can't come here.