A Song of Little Girls
The work explores the beauty and innocence of young girls, contrasting their delicate nature with the more straightforward representation of boys. The narrator expresses a desire to capture the essence of little girls through imagery that evokes nature, such as bees and butterflies, emphasizing their grace, joy, and the ephemeral quality of their youth. The text reflects on the purity and charm of childhood, lamenting the inevitable transition from this innocence to the complexities and cunning often associated with adulthood. The narrator's admiration for the girls' physical attributes and their joyful demeanor highlights a nostalgic longing for the simplicity of youth, while also questioning the societal changes that accompany growing up. The work serves as a celebration of girlhood, portraying it as a fleeting yet beautiful phase of life that should be cherished before it gives way to the more complicated realities of womanhood.
By Thomas Burke · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age · 212 words
First lines
I want to make a song of the little girls That live about this quarter. I could make a song of boys quite easily with words, But words are too blunt for such delicate things as girls. I would like to make my song of them with bees and butterflies. One looks at the boy, and says Boy; And lo, one has described him. But little girls are morning light and melody; Their happy hair flutters and flies, or curtains their laughing faces -- Faces glad as the sun at dawn. Their clear, cool skin is like wine to the eyes, The lines of their fluent limbs run like a song, And every step is a note of grace which the frock repeats.
What this Textopian page supports
A Song of Little Girls is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Burke, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Burke
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Nature Writing, Social Commentary
- Length: 212 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Song of Little Girls by Thomas Burke
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs lyrical language and imagery, characteristic of poetic expression.
- Literary Fiction — The text explores themes of innocence and beauty, focusing on the nuanced portrayal of young girls.
- Coming-of-Age — The narrative reflects on the transition from childhood to adulthood, highlighting the loss of innocence.
- Nature Writing — The use of natural imagery, such as bees and butterflies, emphasizes the connection between the girls and their environment.
Tags
childhood · innocence · friendship · imagination · adventure · nostalgia · growth · family · play · urban life · female perspective · coming of age