Classic Poem

Color and grace adorn thy simplest word;
Dainty as rhyme thy light, coquettish ease,
From lips of saucy gamin or marquise ,
Seems like the twitter of some joyous bird.

By all adored, to every tongue preferred,
Delicate, brilliant, made to flash and please,
Thy hidden powers and subtle harmonies
By peerless Gautier in his dreams were heard.

But when thy welcome sounds I hear, my mind
Recalls those gay cafes, where Dumas pere ,
Reveled in wit, puffing his cigarette.
Or, by bold fantasy, myself I find
Once more a student, on a garret stair,
Chattering manely with some pert grisette.