Poetry copyright laws are quite complicated. But as a rule, you can share a poem 50 years after year of publication and 125 years after creation. So why not? Christina Rossetti (despite her Italian name) was one of our finest poets. We love this poem. Read it aloud and share!
What is pink? a rose is pink
By a fountain’s brink.
What is red? a poppy’s red
In its barley bed.
What is blue? the sky is blue
Where the clouds float thro’.
What is white? a swan is white
Sailing in the light.
What is yellow? pears are yellow,
Rich and ripe and mellow.
What is green? the grass is green,
With small flowers between.
What is violet? clouds are violet
In the summer twilight.
What is orange? Why, an orange,
Just an orange!
Was Christina Rossetti Italian?
No, she had an Italian father (an exiled poet) but she was raised in England. Known as one of the best poets in Victorian times, she had a very happy childhood alongside her siblings (one brother also became a poet).
She was devoutly religious, and this caused her to refuse two offers of marriage. She led a reclusive life after one brother’s death and died age just 64. Despite never marrying, she is known to have written some of the greatest love poems, the world has ever known.
