Clouds
by Christina Rossetti
White sheep, white sheep,
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops
You all stand still.
When the wind blows
You walk away slow.
White sheep, white sheep,
Where do you go?
Into the air
Like steps of stairs,
You make a white track
High up there.
Growing bigger,
Growing dim—
I watch you change
To dots, then swim
Away in the blue
Till next time I see
New white sheep
Grazing the sky-sea.
About the Poet
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) was one of Victorian England’s most important poets. She began writing poetry when she was very young, publishing her first poems at age 18. While she wrote complex poetry for adults, she is also remembered for her delightful children’s verses, especially her collection “Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book” (1872). Rossetti had a special gift for seeing magic in everyday things and writing about nature in ways that children could understand and enjoy. She often wrote about seasons, animals, and natural phenomena, turning simple observations into beautiful poetry. Her most famous poem is “Goblin Market,” but she also wrote many beloved children’s rhymes that are still read today.
About the Poem
“Clouds” is a perfect example of Rossetti’s talent for making nature accessible to young readers. In this poem, she transforms ordinary clouds into something magical by comparing them to white sheep grazing in the blue sky. What makes this poem special is how it captures the way clouds actually move and change, while using language that children can easily understand and enjoy. The poem encourages young readers to use their imagination and observe the world around them. Through her gentle rhythm and clever metaphor of sheep in the sky, Rossetti helps children see the everyday wonder of clouds in a new and delightful way.
