Extremely versatile, gifted and having the rare ability of creating a world of fantasy, Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) has been one of the most cherished writers who with his literary talents has left an indelible mark in the pages of history. His best-known works are, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There (1872). Today, as we celebrate his birthday, let’s read one of his most beautiful and sublime poems, My Fancy.
I painted her a gushing thing
With years about a score;
I little thought to find they were
A least a dozen more;
My fancy gave her eyes of blue,
A curly auburn head:
I came to find the blue a green,
The auburn turned to red.
She boxed my ears this morning,
They tingled very much;
I own that I could wish her
A somewhat lighter touch;
And if you ask me how
Her charms might be improved,
I would not have them added to,
But just a few removed!
She has the bear’s ethereal grace,
The bland hyaena’s laugh,
The footstep of the elephant,
The neck of a giraffe;
I love her still, believe me,
Though my heart its passion hides;
“She’s all my fancy painted her,”
But oh! how much besides!
With numerous fantastical and adored stories, Lewis Carroll’s quirky and larger-than-life characters continue to intrigue, through generations, both children and adults alike.
