Poem of the Week ~ Louisa May Alcott's Fairy Song

While known widely for Little Women, Louisa May Alcott was also a talented poet.  Below is one of my favorites of hers; I enjoy its whimsy and lightheartedness.  Reading it stirs the whispers of my imagination and reminds me of the importance of cultivating child-like wonder.

"Fairy Song"

Louisa May Alcott 
(1832-1888)

The moonlight fades from flower and rose

And the stars dim one by one;

The tale is told, the song is sung,

And the Fairy feast is done.

The night-wind rocks the sleeping flowers,

And sings to them, soft and low.

The early birds erelong will wake:

'Tis time for the Elves to go,

O'er the sleeping earth we silently pass,

Unseen by mortal eye,

And send sweet dreams, as we lightly float

Through the quiet moonlit sky;--

For the stars' soft eyes alone may see,

And the flowers alone may know,

The feasts we hold, the tales we tell;

So 'tis time for the Elves to go.

From bird, and blossom, and bee,

We learn the lessons they teach;

And seek, by kindly deeds, to win

A loving friend in each.

And though unseen on earth we dwell,

Sweet voices whisper low,

And gentle hearts most joyously greet

The Elves where'er they go.

When next we meet in the Fairy dell,

May the silver moon's soft light

Shine then on faces gay as now,

And Elfin hearts as light

Now spread each wing, for the eastern sky

With sunlight soon shall glow.

The morning star shall light us home:

Farewell! for the Elves must go.

                                                                                                                  1848, 1854

In what ways does this poem resonate with you? 
Do you have a favorite fairy tale?