Expressing Moods

What color do I feel today? In wild imagination’s play, By fancy in a riot led, I pause — and dash my cheek with red.

What color do my thoughts portray? Like soaring bird on crest of day, In joyous mood — I stop to think, And splash my cheek with vivid pink.

What color says my soul today? The sky is low, and drab, and grey, My feelings dull with life’s abuse — I’ll paint my face with paler rouge.

Whence comes this color scale to bear Upon the feelings I must wear? Does nature call me like a freak To thus bedaub my chin and cheek?

Not so—since feeling waxes strong, And colors must to thoughts belong, I'll plead for them an inward grace, Not smear them loudly on my face.