The Ripest Peach Is Highest On The

The Ripest Peach Is Highest On The Tree

And The Sun Had On A Crown Wrought Of Gilded Thistledown, And A Scarf Of Velvet Vapor And A Raveled Rainbow Gown; And His Tinsel-tangled Hair Tossed And Lost Upon The Air Was Glossier And Flossier Than Any Anywhere.

I Cannot Say, And I Will Not Say That He Is Dead. He Is Just Away. With A Cheery Smile, And A Wave Of The Hand, He Has Wandered Into An Unknown Land And Left Us Dreaming How Very Fair It Needs Must Be, Since He Lingers There. And You - Oh You, Who The Wildest Yearn For An Old-time Step, And The Glad Return, Think Of Him Faring On, As Dear In The Love Of There As The Love Of Here. Think Of Him Still As The Same. I Say, He Is Not Dead - He Is Just Away.

I Don't Know How To Tell It--but Ef Such A Thing Could Be As The Angels Wantin' Boardin', And They'd Call Around On Me-- I'd Want To 'ccommodate 'em--all The Whole-in-durin' Flock-- When The Frost Is On The Punkin And The Fodder's In The Shock.

One Naked Star Has Waded Through The Purple Shallows Of The Night, And Faltering As Falls The Dew It Drips Its Misty Light.