somewhere. somewhere br in china, where i once travelled br a boy, a tramp, br appeared so contented br in his frost bitten smile, br walked in the dusk wind, br he struck at my heart br like a mellowed violin br so old yet so fine in tune br he danced danced through my soul br even now as i write this verse br young pair of footsteps br jived, twisted, waltzed and twirled over china br leaves that spread themselves to the sun br - wave to me br br inspired by br br A Barefoot Boy br 1 A barefoot boy! I mark him at his play - br 2 For May is here once more, and so is he, - br 3 His dusty trousers, rolled half to the knee, br 4 And his bare ankles grimy, too, as they: br 5 Cross-hatchings of the nettle, in array br 6 Of feverish stripes, hint vividly to me br 7 Of woody pathways winding endlessly br 8 Along the creek, where even yesterday br 9 He plunged his shrinking body - gasped and shook - br 10 Yet called the water 'warm, ' with never lack br 11 Of joy. And so, half enviously I look br 12 Upon this graceless barefoot and his track, - br 13 His toe stubbed - ay, his big toe-nail knocked back br 14 Like unto the clasp of an old pocketbook.