Snow-Flakes by Mary Mapes Dodge.

WHENEVER a snow-flake leaves

the sky,
It turns and turns to say “Good-bye!
Good-bye, dear clouds, so cool and gray!”
Then lightly travels on its way.

And when a snow-flake finds a tree,
“Good-day!” it says—“Good-day to thee!
Thou art so bare, and lonely, dear,
I’ll rest and call my comrades here.”

But when a snow-flake, brave and meek,
Lights on a rosy maiden’s cheek,
It starts—“How warm and soft the day!
’T is summer!”—and it melts away.