By Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Author of The Rundelstone of Oz, Merry Go Round in Oz, The Forbidden Fountain of Oz, The Moorchild, etc.
Originally published under her maiden name Eloise Jarvis in The Tri-High Journal, Fall Number, Vol. 2, No. 1, November 1930, Oklahoma City Senior High Schools.
The fine white needle of the dawn
Points out above the hills,
Then loops over the world
The golden thread of
The New Day.
Points out above the hills,
Then loops over the world
The golden thread of
The New Day.
Originally published in the Philadelphia Public Ledger, February 9, 1919.
Sir Solomon Tremendous Wise’s Valentine
The air was full of Valentines.
Sir Solomon felt lonely.
He’s gotten quite a few, but not
One said, “I love you only.”
“It’s fine to be a scientist
And famous and all that,
But who will be my Valentine?”
He murmured to his cat.
The cat arose and waved its tail
And rubbed against his knee
And purred and tried its best to say,
“Old dear, why not take me?”
His master stroked him absently,
Then sank back in his chair
And gazed into a cheerful fire
With such a mournful stare.
The cat reflected to himself:
“Not comfort such as mine
He needs. I’ll go and try my best
To find a Valentine.”
The King and Queen were sitting on
Their next to next best throne.
And for a wonder, dears and ducks,
The two were all alone.
When in with silent pussy tread
And watchful pussy eye
Sir Solomon’s devoted cat
Came seeking favor high.
“Hello! Here’s Solomon’s good cat,”
The King exclaimed. “My dear,
We quite forgot his Valentine.
No wonder puss is here!
“Ho, there! Without!” A page ran in.
“Take this to Mr. Wise.”
He scribbled on an envelope
Of pink and royal size:
“Old friend, we love you best of all.
Come visit us at nine,
And, if the place still’s open
May we be your Valentine?”
The cat purred its approval,
Then stole stealthily away
To walk in lonely majesty
Upon the King’s highway!
Sir Solomon felt lonely.
He’s gotten quite a few, but not
One said, “I love you only.”
“It’s fine to be a scientist
And famous and all that,
But who will be my Valentine?”
He murmured to his cat.
The cat arose and waved its tail
And rubbed against his knee
And purred and tried its best to say,
“Old dear, why not take me?”
His master stroked him absently,
Then sank back in his chair
And gazed into a cheerful fire
With such a mournful stare.
The cat reflected to himself:
“Not comfort such as mine
He needs. I’ll go and try my best
To find a Valentine.”
The King and Queen were sitting on
Their next to next best throne.
And for a wonder, dears and ducks,
The two were all alone.
When in with silent pussy tread
And watchful pussy eye
Sir Solomon’s devoted cat
Came seeking favor high.
“Hello! Here’s Solomon’s good cat,”
The King exclaimed. “My dear,
We quite forgot his Valentine.
No wonder puss is here!
“Ho, there! Without!” A page ran in.
“Take this to Mr. Wise.”
He scribbled on an envelope
Of pink and royal size:
“Old friend, we love you best of all.
Come visit us at nine,
And, if the place still’s open
May we be your Valentine?”
The cat purred its approval,
Then stole stealthily away
To walk in lonely majesty
Upon the King’s highway!
Copyright © 2026 Eric Shanower and David Maxine. All rights reserved.
