I knew her for a little ghost <br />That in my garden walked; <br />The wall is high--higher than most-- <br />And the green gate was locked. <br />And yet I did not think of that <br />Till after she was gone-- <br />I knew her by the broad white hat, <br />All ruffled, she had on. <br />By the dear ruffles round her feet, <br />By her small hands that hung <br />In their lace mitts, austere and sweet, <br />Her gown's white folds among. <br />I watched to see if she would stay, <br />What she would do--and oh! <br />She looked as if she liked the way <br />I let my garden grow! <br />She bent above my favourite mint <br />With conscious garden grace, <br />She smiled and smiled--there was no hint <br />Of sadness in her face. <br />She held her gown on either side <br />To let her slippers show, <br />And up the walk she went with pride, <br />The way great ladies go. <br />And where the wall is built in new <br />And is of ivy bare <br />She paused--then opened and passed through <br />A gate that once was there.<br /><br />Edna St Vincent Millay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-little-ghost-2/
