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I wonder what they are,
These pretty, wayward things,
That o'er the gloomy earth
The wind of heaven flings.
Each one a tiny star,
And each a perfect gem;
What magic in the art
That thus has fashioned them.
What beauty in the flake
That falls upon my hand;
And yet this tiny thing
My will cannot command.
No two are just alike,
And yet they are the same;
I wonder if my thought
Could give to each a name.
Unlike the fragile flowers
That love the sun's warm rays,
These snow-flakes love the cold,
And die on sunny days!
So dainty and so pure,
How beautiful they are;
And yet the slightest touch
Their purity may mar.
They must be gazed upon,
Not handled or caressed;
And thus we hold afar
The things we love the best.
This poem is in the public domain.
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Fannie Isabelle Sherrick was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but she also spent time in California and Colorado. She actively wrote and published her poetry during the 1860s-1880s, and considered Ella Wheeler Wilcox a strong influence on her work. Health issues occasionally interfered with Fannie's ability to write.
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Anastasia:
Beautiful images and language! Thank you for introducing this "new" poet, Jayne!
Posted 05/15/2023 08:40 PM
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Janice Galt:
So appreciate this. We are missing our usual snow cover, here in northeastern Wisconsin. Cold, grey, no snow for play!
Posted 01/13/2023 05:24 PM
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CamilleBalla:
A wonderful look at snow from the eyes and soul of this poet. Great poem! Thanks for finding this, Jayne.
Posted 01/13/2023 11:41 AM
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Wilda Morris:
What a beautiful poem - from an almost forgotten poet.
Posted 01/13/2023 10:36 AM
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Michael:
Great find, Jayne. Fannie's end-rhyme, line cadence, and wisdom really standout in this poem.
Posted 01/13/2023 09:39 AM
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MLove:
That last line would be a great start to a fiction novel about Fannie Isabelle Sherrick!
Posted 01/13/2023 09:15 AM
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Darrell Arnold:
I am so pleased that you found this poem. It is masterfully constructed and brilliantly conceived. Truly lovely images. I actually hate snow, having spent most of my life where it dominates the winters, but this beautiful poem, for the moment at least, softens my feelings toward it.
Posted 01/13/2023 08:35 AM
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KevinArnold:
I like No two are just alike,
And yet they are the same;
Posted 01/13/2023 08:14 AM
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Larry Schug:
"I wonder what they are"-this poem opens with a "scientific" question, but where science leaves off, poetry takes over.
Posted 01/13/2023 07:37 AM
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Joan Luther:
What a dance of wonder in this! The ending is intriguing. Thx Jayne! If you find out more about the author, Id love to hear!
Posted 01/13/2023 07:15 AM
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