Edith Matilda Thomas

In the Dark Little Flat at the End of the Court

What can the children in cities do,
  The children shut in from wholesome sport--
The children that live, all winter through,
  In the dark little flat at the end of the court?

Yet a comfort they have (and a beautiful one!),
  Though the days are chill and the days are short;
At noon, for a moment, looks in the sun,
  In the dark little flat at the end of the court.

Then, the dazzled baby drops his toy,
  Down tumbles the four-year-old's tottering fort--
"Sunshine!" they all cry out, in their joy,
  In the dark little flat at the end of the court.