Up on the waves of the great sea-sky
Where the moon island dreamily floats
Sailing about, with laughter and shout,
Are thousands of gay little boats;
And some are quite large,—they are nearer, you see,
And some very faint and afar;
Each little boat has a bright little sail
And each little sail is a star.
And “Come up and drift!” they are calling to me
“The sea is blue and so wide”;
And the little sails wink, and its pleasant to think
That each longs to take me to ride;
But sadly I say: “You are too far away”;
And their light trembles down on my face;
So hailing the brightest, far upward I send
My heart’s dearest wish in my place.