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THOUGHTS 
 
 POEMS OF CHEER 
 
 BY . ^, 
 
 Louise J:^Dorman 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 MY MOTHER 
 

 Copyright, 1920 
 By Louise J. Dorman 
 
 DEC 13 1^20 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 ^ HER THOUGHT 
 
 Tho' small the gift to you I bring, 
 c Yet it hath traveled far; 
 
 'Tis winged of gold, so I've been told, 
 
 The gold from out a star. 
 'Twas bathed within the silent stream 
 
 At dusk, in sunset's glow ; 
 And it will live, the gift I give 
 
 In every song you know. 
 
 JUST BLUE 
 
 When not a thing 
 That you have done 
 Should cause a friend 
 
 To doubt you, 
 When devils come 
 To grapple you 
 And when they almost 
 
 Rout you — 
 
 Then that's the time 
 To watch your game. 
 Never let it 
 
 ''Get" you; 
 It's always dark 
 Before the dawn, 
 That's some fact, 
 
 I'll bet you. 
 
T H O U O II T S 
 
 IN TUNE 
 
 Love, we are one ; one with the sun, 
 Golden with promise when day has begun ; 
 One with the brook traveHng on to its source, 
 Merrily singing, tho' winding the course. 
 
 Love, we are one ; one with the rose. 
 Shedding its fragrance wherever it grows ; 
 One with each star, e'en strange it may seem. 
 One with the world, in its glorious theme. 
 
 THE MESSAGE OF THE SPRING 
 
 So short a while the trees were bare, 
 But now each budding leaf 
 
 Augurs spring within the air. 
 Spring that's all too brief. 
 
 And her herald flutters near 
 
 In thrills of ecstasy; 
 So a list'ning world may hear 
 
 And enraptured be. 
 
 Unerringly she makes her leap 
 
 Upon a flower bed ; 
 Purple blushing violets peep, 
 
 Up comes every head. 
 
 Tho' you're feeHng winter's blast, 
 And sorrow mocks your dream, 
 
 Then rejoice, it cannot last 
 In spring's eternal theme. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 AMBITION 
 
 I stand on life's reverb'rant shore, 
 Just where the boats put out to sea ; 
 
 Entranced I watch an eaglet soar, 
 And wings and waters beckon me. 
 
 And far beyond the beaten sands. 
 Across the sunset's rim of fire, 
 
 Gleaming towers of nameless lands 
 Whisper of my heart's desire. 
 
 And erroneous the adage old, 
 
 He serves who only stands and waits. 
 
 Success is sponsor to the bold, 
 I'm off to storm her pearly gates. 
 
 YOUTH 
 
 I sent my ship far out to sea 
 
 With colors flying gayly, 
 My treasure trove within the hold. 
 
 The world forgotten daily. 
 
 My heavy freighted ship o' dreams 
 With cupid's wondrous presence 
 
 Lent happiness beyond compare, 
 For 'twas of dreams, the essence. 
 
 But we've come home, my ship and I, 
 Now anchored fast we tarry ; 
 
 For out upon the Tide were left 
 The dreams we used to carry. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 A PROBLEM 
 
 Reflection was hard in the city, 
 
 I hied me away to the wood ; 
 In valuable teachings of nature 
 
 I knew I should find the most good. 
 
 So queerly the trees were divided 
 And paired into twos, so I sought 
 
 The space between two for a hammock 
 Designed to create deepest thought. 
 
 And soon issued forth from the branches 
 The song of a bird that was sweet ; 
 
 The nest seemed a shrine to her singing, 
 Oh, dearest of family retreat. 
 
 Apparently here my solution ; 
 
 The problem ? Quite easy to guess 
 Nor hard to determine the answer 
 
 Emphatically told in my ''yes." 
 
 APPRECIATION 
 
 We only know the joys of summer days 
 Because of cruel winter with its snows; 
 
 'Tis when we take the rough and stony ways 
 We find the sweetest vi'let or the rose. 
 
 And after all the bitterness of war 
 
 One touches heights of happiness 'twould seem 
 For tyranny and monarch's greed are o'er 
 
 And struggles help to realize "the dream." 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 THE SUMMER CAMOUFLAGE 
 
 She looks so very sweet, 
 She's dressed, oh, very neat, 
 You admire the dainty feet 
 
 As near she passes. 
 With cheeks quite all aglow 
 While breeze her tresses blow, 
 You're sure you want to know 
 
 This lass of lasses. 
 
 You learn she plays croquet, 
 At tennis holds full sway, 
 And gayest of the gay , 
 
 At all the sports ; 
 Of beaus she has a score. 
 Could have as many more, 
 But votes them all "a bore" 
 
 When out of sorts. 
 
 In her charm beguiling. 
 Quick the time is whiling, 
 So you bask in smiling 
 
 Thro' each "date"; 
 Soon you're smitten badly, 
 Love her very sadly, 
 Want her pretty madly. 
 
 But you wait. 
 
 And at vacation's wane 
 You look for her in vain, 
 Deserted is the lane 
 
 She's homeward bound ; 
 For hubby's waiting there, 
 She loves him to despair; 
 Thinks she's ''playing fair," 
 
 She's safe and sound. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 SERVICE 
 
 A farmer going through a road 
 
 Espied a crooked plant ; 
 As customary then he paused 
 
 To change its awkward slant. 
 
 Traversing there in after years, 
 
 Amazed full much was he, 
 To view of its surpassing growth 
 
 A tall and stately tree. 
 
 The little pool where children played 
 With mud was covered o'er; 
 
 The student as he tarried there 
 Gave evidence he "saw." 
 
 And came again when time had passed 
 
 Elated, for within 
 The water's cool and shining depths 
 
 A blue sky greeted him. 
 
 A mother o'er her baby's cot 
 Was teaching him a prayer ; 
 
 With love and an abundant faith 
 The seeds were planted there. 
 
 And loving hands still guided him 
 
 Thru labyrinths of years; 
 And thus in noble man's estate 
 
 When country calls, he hears. 
 
 Oh, tree, and pool, and little child. 
 There sad if none had heed. 
 
 And those who serve unsought, unasked. 
 Thrice blessed are they indeed. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 A PHANTASY 
 
 'Mongst the flowers, on his throne 
 King Love was holding court ; 
 
 And his subjects gathered there 
 To tender gifts they'd brought. 
 
 They were proud to serve their king, 
 Although he seemed a boy ; 
 
 He commanded, they obeyed, 
 And called this kingdom "Joy." 
 
 Soon sweet Music came to greet 
 The monarch with her art ; 
 
 Sister Song, in court'sy low. 
 Sublimely played her part. 
 
 All the fairies of the Dance 
 In figures posed of beauty, 
 
 Love betsowed his rarest smile 
 On their leader. Duty. 
 
 Lo ; into Love's kingdom strode 
 
 Gi'nts of aspect cruel. 
 Fame and Fortune ; and they schemed 
 
 To take away Love's rule. 
 
 "Foolish people," mocked they both, 
 
 "You worship him a boy ; 
 Poor indeed this realm of his, 
 
 He offers merely joy." 
 
 "While I," exposing pockets. 
 
 Wealth smiled cajolingly; 
 "And L" Fame, blew his trumpets, 
 
 'Twas heard o'er land and sea. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 And soon from out Love's kingdom 
 There stretched a column long; 
 
 Three faithful subjects lingered, 
 Sweet Music, Dance, and Song. 
 
 Tenderly they dried his tears 
 
 And promised loyalty, 
 Swore alleg'nce to their King 
 
 For all eternity. 
 
 Quoth Love, "Leave wide the portal 
 
 For erring souls' return" ; 
 "Perhaps," and he appealed to Song, 
 
 "For Love, they may still yearn." 
 
 "Our King speaks true," she murmured, 
 
 "See one returning now, 
 But look, how sad and weary he, 
 
 For age hath marked his brow." 
 
 Song and Music eager ran 
 
 To lead him to their King ; 
 As he walked his youth returned 
 
 Soft they heard him sing. 
 
 "Give me back my Land of Joy," 
 
 He fell at King Love's feet, 
 "For all of Wealth, and all of Fame 
 
 Hold nothing half so sweet." 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 VINI, VIDI, VICI 
 
 Love came, she tossed her pretty head, 
 "Nay, Cupid, pass me by," she said; 
 
 "1 love, forsooth, you err good youth," 
 But she blushed a rosy red. 
 
 Love saw, yet lingered loth to go; 
 
 And infinitely filled with woe 
 He spoke, "Your hair's no longer fair. 
 
 Your cheeks have lost their glow." 
 
 Love conquered, now she held him fast, 
 Perchance, because her youth had passed, 
 
 She clung, yet he longed to be free 
 When he arrived at last. 
 
 THE UNKNOWN 
 
 She led them, a Sister of Mercy, 
 The city's poor followed close by ; . 
 
 Carrying flowers they'd gathered 
 
 For those who had fought, but to die. 
 
 Not pausing, she held fast the lilies, 
 
 Though grave upon grave had they passed ; 
 
 The slab marked "unknown" made her falter, 
 *Twas here that she placed them at last. 
 
 Unwonted the sight, and most tender. 
 All knelt at the sad little grave. 
 
 And faces beamed wonderful splendor 
 While loving hearts' tribute they gave. 
 
T H O U G H.T S 
 
 PROOF 
 
 The night was still, and from my bed 
 
 I saw the stars so bright; 
 The moon, a crescent, beamed on me, 
 
 I gazed in pure delight. 
 
 I did not dream, I had not slept, 
 When your voice called to me ; 
 
 So clearly did I hear my name 
 I peered without to see. 
 
 There greeted but the silent street, 
 
 There seemed no one about ; 
 Perplexed, and yet convinced, I knew 
 
 No call came from without. 
 
 How tenderly you spoke my name, 
 
 Tho' many years have fled ; 
 And far our paths with years between — 
 
 For all, we might be dead. 
 
 Do you recall, from out the past. 
 
 Our all absorbing talks 
 Concerning thought transmission, fate. 
 
 And all those pretty walks ? 
 
 And if you've reached me thus, dear heart, 
 
 No better proof we need ; 
 And distance hath no terrors now, 
 
 For we are close indeed. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 LOGIC 
 
 Poor but proud was Algernon, 
 Who owned an Uncle Ned; 
 
 Possessor of the "dough-bags," see? 
 So one day Algy said: 
 
 "Dear Uncle, wise advice I seek, 
 
 For I should like to wed; 
 My love for Gwendy's most sincere. 
 
 Yet I must get ahead. 
 
 "For Gwendy's used to living swell ; 
 
 Her dressmaker each year 
 Receives a thousand, I've heard tell, 
 
 Just sewing for the dear." 
 
 Then silently he waited for 
 The words to make his fate ; 
 
 "That dressmaker," drawled Uncle Ned, 
 Would just suit you first-rate." 
 
 THE WAR'S END 
 
 When you returned 
 The sun ne'er 
 
 Shone so bright; 
 Till then, life seemed 
 An abyss of despair. 
 
 One sad long night. 
 
 Can one find words 
 Expressing 
 
 Joy so keen? 
 Perhaps nightingale 
 Or lark can tell 
 
 In song supreme. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 REBELLION 
 
 Suddenly hurled into the world 
 Ungirded, alas, for the strife; 
 
 A question lies in baby's eyes, 
 ''What do you offer me. Life?" 
 
 Sad baby's youth, all tears forsooth, 
 While poverty stalked at the door ; 
 
 One more to feed, what was the need? 
 A spirit rebellious she bore. 
 
 But girlhood's day, brightened the way, 
 Fashioning joys out of dreams ; 
 
 Who would be sad, one could be glad. 
 Eyes never held "motes or beams." 
 
 Then all unsought, womanhood brought 
 Smashing of dreams that seemed real ; 
 
 Time was no thief, now in such grief, 
 Life had but taught her to feel. 
 
 BELLS 
 
 How sweet the tinkle of the bell, 
 
 A thousand joys it seems to tell ; 
 
 And as it falls upon my ear, 
 
 Heaven, and all that's grand, seems near. 
 
 Again the sound comes soft and low, 
 Alas, it seems so full of woe ; 
 Once it had a joyful sound. 
 Now with tears it doth resound. 
 
 So human then, the marvelous tones 
 That fill the air oftimes with moans, 
 And, too, with echoes bright and gay 
 All mortal cares seem waft away. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 CONCESSION 
 
 Whose was the fault, does it matter ; 
 
 Words that were harsh came so fast 
 Friendship was spoiled in the clatter, 
 
 Friendship created to last. 
 
 So I've prepared a nice letter — 
 Asking for pardon? Not I; 
 
 You're the offender, I'll warrant, 
 Caused me full many a sigh. 
 
 Clearly such friendship meant nothing 
 
 If you can't justly say, 
 *'You are so sorry it happened," 
 
 'Ere we both turn, on life's way. 
 
 Long have I asked for the pictures. 
 
 Also my letters returned; 
 Since they mean nothing, why keep them 
 
 Unless by this time, they're burned? 
 
 If you're expecting to bring them 
 I'll meet you gladly half-way; 
 
 Yes, I will go fifty-fifty; 
 
 Come now, old pal, what you say? 
 
 OUR FLAG 
 
 Hark, 'ere the morning's dawn, 
 Comes loud the bugle's call, 
 
 ''Into the saddle" ; 
 Up rides the flag on high, 
 ''Men, we must do or die. 
 
 Fall into battle." 
 
 Look! read the glory there, 
 Each star so wondrous fair, 
 
 Gaze on its beauty; 
 Courage and hope it brings, 
 Unto your heart it sings, 
 
 "Men, do your duty." 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 REFLECTION 
 
 I said farewell ; and did not know 
 Of dismal days, no gleam of light, 
 
 Of endless nights, gone all repose, 
 Your face forever in my sight. 
 
 I said farewell ; a dream I thought 
 To pass within the coming years : 
 
 In duty's path, so hard I sought 
 Forgetfulness for all my tears. 
 
 But, oh, in vain; I plucked a rose 
 And pondered, could it be as sweet 
 
 Without its perfume? As my life 
 Without its love 'tis incomplete. 
 
 The red red rose, goes forth to you 
 To speak for me, and thus 'twill tell 
 
 Most eloquently of my love, 
 
 To promise, too, that all is well. 
 
 CONSOLATION. 
 
 'Tis a simple thing to offer, 
 
 Yet how few can ease the smart 
 
 Of the one bathed deep in sorrow, 
 With a grief o'er ladened heart. 
 
 Some, with sweet words, like a lesson, 
 Come to say them o'er and o'er, 
 
 Yet the sad one's grief seems greater, 
 And the burden so much more. 
 
 Words themselves, but empty echoes, 
 Feel the sympathy which goes 
 
 To wake response in hearts of sorrow. 
 Lighten all the bitten woes. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 RESIGNATION 
 
 Vvhen sickness came and robbed me of my strength, 
 
 I did my best to rout it by my will 
 
 Which said "endure" ; and when the pain was great 
 
 I thought on other things ; 
 
 The friends I loved; 
 
 x\nd I grew well again. 
 
 Anon, one talked to me about a *'nest," 
 
 Tho' in its building he must go afar ; 
 
 In fancy I could see my hearth kept bright 
 
 Because the fires of love 
 
 Were burning there ; 
 
 I thought to burn for aye. 
 
 I did not wait in idleness for him, 
 
 So many things were there for me to do. 
 
 I nursed my truest friend, for she lay ill ; 
 
 So precious was the life 
 
 That gave me life, 
 
 I suffered at the break. 
 
 And while I mourned, his perfidy I learned, 
 
 But consolation strange within the thought 
 
 All winters turn to springs, eternal law; 
 
 And thus my life must change 
 
 For better things. 
 
 And so I watch, and wait. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 THE WAY OF A MAN 
 (Apologies to Kipling) 
 
 A maid there was, and she played a game, 
 
 Even as you and I. 
 With a man who was bold, with morals lame, 
 Whom the maiden fancied she could tame 
 And gave him sympathy, not blame, 
 
 Even as you and I. 
 
 The years flew by, the maid grew old. 
 
 Even as you and I ; 
 The man more wicked, grew more bold, 
 The lady's heart, which was of gold 
 Was ready to break, so I've been told, 
 
 Even as you and I. 
 
 Since morals must adorn a tale, 
 Take my advice, and don't bewail 
 
 If similar Fate await you; 
 And when you take your broom to sweep 
 The mud that lies upon the street. 
 Your gown alas, won't look as neat — 
 
 There's naught to compensate you. 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 HUMANITY 
 
 When first we learned the method of the Hun 
 Who didn't feel the surge to help the weak? 
 
 Who could resist the call that urged us forth, 
 No laurels fresh had we then tried to seek. 
 
 With such incentive could we help but win 
 A cause so just, accompanied faith beside, 
 
 That mocked the savage, so beset in sin 
 
 Who uttered prayer, and with his soul he lied. 
 
 Humanity, you have not called in vain ; 
 
 Your voice was heard throughout the battle roar, 
 And now that blessed peace prevails again, 
 
 We hearken, nay, perhaps we shall do more. 
 
 The hungry shall be fed. Oh, never fear, 
 Humanity knows naught of hate or greed, 
 
 And thus we stand today without a peer, 
 And Civilization bids us proudly "lead." 
 
 BERMUDA 
 
 I saw the cactus as we passed. 
 And the balmy, won'drous air 
 
 Whispered, "Now we had arrived," 
 Bermuda's shores were glist'ning there. 
 
 Of all the world a garden spot ; 
 
 No flight of fancy could depict 
 The water's blue, the pearly shore; 
 
 Here one might be a derelict. 
 
 And up beyond the water's edge 
 
 Flowers vied in brilliancy, 
 Nodded greeting as I gazed, 
 
 Lost in tourist's ecstasy. 
 
 If the world has gone amiss. 
 Then bestir you for this goal ; 
 
 On Bermuda's shores you'll find 
 All that goes to feed the soul.