The Rock-a-By-Lady from Hushaby Street

The Rock-a-By Lady from the Hushaby Street

                                                           Eugene Field

a. Describe the Rock-a-By Lady.

A. The Rock-a-By Lady creeps into people’s houses at night. She wears

poppies that hang from her head to her feet. Each poppy carries a tiny

dream. She brings these poppies to children when she finds them sleeping.

b. Describe the dreams in stanza three.

A. Each poppy that the Rock-a-By Lady carries contains a tiny dream. These  dreams are described beautifully in stanza 3. Dolls peep out of the dreams laughing and singing while boats float on silvery streams. The stars play peek-a-boo while fairies fly merrily near Mother Moon who beams at them happily.

c. Who do you think is singing this song and to whom?

A. This song is a lullaby sung by a mother to her sleeping child.

d. She bringeth her poppies to you, my sweet,

  When she findeth you sleeping!

What does the poet mean by the following lines? Why does the Rock-a-By Lady carry poppies?

A. The Rock-a-By Lady wears poppies that hang from her head to her feet. Each poppy contains a tiny, beautiful dream. She gifts these poppies to children when she finds them sleeping that they may have sweet dreams while they sleep.