Fragments from "The Mysterious Key And What It Opened"

    Love comes to all soon or late,
    And maketh gay or sad;
    For every bird will find its mate,
    And every lass a lad,

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel 'Little Women' and its sequels 'Little Men' and 'Jo's Boys.' Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, she grew up in Massachusetts. She was an abolitionist and a feminist and was active in both the Transcendentalist and suffragist movements. Alcott began writing to support her family and went on to publish numerous works that have had a lasting impact on American literature.

Louisa May Alcott

And If Your Nancy Frowns, My Lad

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

Welcome, Mighty Chief, Once More

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

Gingerbread

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

To One Who Teaches Me

Louisa May Alcott, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

In The Garret

    Four little chests all in a row,
    Dim with dust, and worn by time,
    All fashioned and filled, long ago,
    By children now in their prime.
    Four little keys hung side by side,
    With faded ribbons, brave and gay
    When fastened there, with childish pride,
    Long ago, on a rainy day.
    Four little names, one on each lid,
    Carved out by a boyish hand,
    And underneath there lieth hid
    Histories of the happy band
    Once playing here, and pausing oft
    To hear the sweet refrain,
    That came and went on the roof aloft,
    In the falling summer rain.


    "Meg" on the first lid, smooth and fair.
    I look in with loving eyes,
    For folded here, with well-known care,
    A goodly gathering lies,
 ...

Louisa May Alcott

Fragments from "Under The Lilacs".

    "So he took up his bow,
    And he feathered his arrow,
    And said, 'I will shoot
    This little cock-sparrow.'"

**    *    *

    "'Tis good to make all duty sweet,
    To be alert and kind;
    'Tis good, like Littie Mabel,
    To have a willing mind."

**    *    *    *

    "Benny had a little dog,
    His fleece was white as snow,
    And everywhere that Benny went,
    The dog was sure to go.


    He went into the School one day,
    which was against the rule;
    It made the children laugh and play
    To see a dog --"

**    *    *    *

Louisa May Alcott

Now Hark, Little May

    "Now hark, little May,
    If you want to do right,
    Under your pillow
    Just look every night.
    If you have been good
    All through the day,
    A gift you will find,
    Useful or gay;
    But if you have been
    Cross, selfish, or wild,
    A bad thing will come
    For the naughty child.
    So try, little dear,
    And soon you will see
    How easy and sweet
    To grow good it will be."


    "Ha, ha, you can't see,
    Although I am here;
    But listen to what
    I say in your ear.
    Tell no one of this.
    Because, if you do,
    My fun will be spoilt,
    And so will yours too.
    But if you are good,
    And patient, and gay,
    A real fairy will come
    To see l...

Louisa May Alcott

Here Is The Bracelet

    "Here is the bracelet
    For good little May
    To wear on her arm
    By night and by day.
    When it shines like the sun,
    All's going well;
    But when you are bad,
    A sharp prick will tell.
    Farewell, little girl,
    For now we must part.
    Make a fairy-box, dear,
    Of your own happy heart;
    And take out for all
    Sweet gifts every day,
    Till all the year round
    Is like beautiful May."

Louisa May Alcott

To My Lady

"There are no flowers in the fields,
No green leaves on the tree,
No columbines, no violets,
No sweet anemone.
So I have gathered from my pots
All that I have to fill
The basket that I hang to-night,
With heaps of love from Jill."

Louisa May Alcott

Sweetest Of Maidens, Oh, How Can I Tell

    'Sweetest of maidens, oh, how can I tell
    The love that transfigures the whole earth to me?
    The longing that causes my bosom to swell,
    When I dream of a life all devoted to thee?'

Louisa May Alcott