19
HIGH ON THE MANTEL

High on the mantel rose a moan —

It came from an idol carved in bone —

“Oh, it's so lonesome here alone,

With no one near to love me! ”

A cautious smile came over the face

Of a pensive maid on a Grecian vase

“Are you sure,” she said, with charming grace,

“There's no one near to love you? ”

[NOTES] This rhyme is about two things that are sitting on wood above the fireplace in a house. The bone man says he is lonely and has no one to love him. The Greek girl that is painted on the vase suggests that she might love him.

mantel—wood shelf over top of a fireplace

rose—past tense of rise, go up

moan—unhappy sound

idol—something that looks like a person

carved—made with a knife

lonesome—lonely

cautious—careful

pensive—thoughtful

maid—girl

grecian vase—holder for flowers painted with Greek pictures

charming—nice

grace—respectful and lovely