Because the sky is blue.

Because I find, no matter where

I go, a friend that’s true.

I smile because the earth is green,

The sun so near and bright,

Because the days that o’er us lean

Are full of warmth and light.

I smile as past the yards I go,

Though strange and new the place,

The violets seem my step to know,

And look up in my face.

I smile to hear the robin’s note.

He comes so newly dressed,

A love song throbbing in his throat,

A rose pinned on his breast.

And so the truth I’ll not disown,

Because the spring is nigh;

My heart has somewhat better grown,

And I forget to sigh.

Mt. Vernon, Ill.