"WHEN THIS YOU SEE"

When this you see remember me,
Though many a mile apart we be,
When I am where you cannot be,
Far away on the battle field.


James W. Thornhill ~ Poetry of the Civil War


"Remember me!"
~ Job 14:13 ~

"CHILD OF THE PURE UNCLOUDED BROW" Child of the pure unclouded brow And dreaming eyes of wonder! Though time be fleet, and I and thou Are half a life asunder, Thy loving smile will surely hail The love gift of a fairy tale. I have not seen thy sunny face, Nor heard thy silver laughter: No thought of me shall find a place In thy young life's hereafter-- Enough that now thou wilt not fail To listen to my fairy-tale. A tale begun in other days, When summer suns were glowing-- A simple chime, that served to time The rhythm of our rowing-- Whose echoes live in memory yet, Though envious years would say "forget". Come, hearken then, ere voice of dread With bitter tidings laden, Shall summon to unwelcome bed A melancholy maiden We are but older children, dear, Who fret to find our bedtime near. Without, the frost, the blinding snow, The storm wind's moody madness-- Within, the firelight's ruddy glow, And childhood's nest of gladness. The magic words shall hold thee fast: Thou shalt not heed the raving blast. And, though the shadow of a sigh May tremble through the story, For "happy summer days" gone by, And vanish'd summer glory-- It shall not touch with breath of bale, The pleasance of our fairy tale. Through the Looking Glass ~ Louis Carroll