Poets make pets of pretty, docile words: br I love smooth words, like gold-enamelled fish br Which circle slowly with a silken swish, br And tender ones, like downy-feathred birds: br Words shy and dappled, deep-eyed deer in herds, br Come to my hand, and playful if I wish, br Or purring softly at a silver dish, br Blue Persian kittens fed on cream and curds. br br I love bright words, words up and singing early; br Words that are luminous in the dark, and sing; br Warm lazy words, white cattle under trees; br I love words opalescent, cool, and pearly, br Like midsummer moths, and honied words like bees, br Gilded and sticky, with a little sting.