Poems (Kimball)/The Fairy's Dilemma

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

THE FAIRY'S DILEMMA.

ALMOST time for the ball of the last summer night,
 Said a fairy, crimping her hair,
And my elfin wardrobe is in such a plight
 I really have nothing to wear!
 I really am quite in despair!

My buttercup satin is far from new
 And I do not like the tint;
I have worn it twice already, too,
 And to wear it again would hint
 That I must needs pinch and stint.

I wish that my wind-flower dress were fresh
 How pretty that used to be!
So dainty a color; so dainty a mesh;
 And vastly well suited to me,
 With pearls from the spray of the sea!

My brier-rose silk is slightly defaced
 And I could not match it at all,
For the season is past; it needs a new waist;
 I might wear my gossamer shawl,
 The weather is so like the fall.

And this reminds me I surely must get
 A new fringed gentian this year,
And a hoar-frost point—so costly! Yet
 I really must have it, 't is clear;
 Yes, let it be never so dear!

Oh there is my water-lily gown
 Imported from Slumber Bay,
With the golden tassels all up and down
 But that will be soon passée;
 I think I will lay it away.

My violet—violet's quite gone out;
 It will rage I've no doubt next year.
Oh what shall I get! and now that the drought
 Has made fairy fabrics so dear!
 Well, I must not dawdle here.

My thistle-dowu phaeton stands at the gate
 And I must go out for a drive;
I would go to shop if it were not late;
 Bless me! 't is almost five
 By the four-o'clock, as I'm alive!

I have it—I have it! regardless of cost
 I will send to the Silver Cascade
For a gown of that rainbow—pure sun-spinning, crossed
 With the choicest colors made,
 And warranted never to fade!

I will fringe it with mist! What an exquisite dress!
 Most magical thing in air!
And here comes the Humming Bird Fairy Express
 I will hail it and speak it fair,
 For I must have something to wear.