® ii IS, tt M « « X 7Vs ^ m LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. i^ap* iopijrig^t ^0. UNITED STATES OF ABIERICA. (q^-^ Copyright Applied For. PAGE 20. PREFACE >* To My Friends : I venture to give forth these poems in all their crude- ness and I ask you to overlook the defects that exist in rhythm and metre ; and, if you find anything readable, to remember the thought that prompted the utterings. I have never, in a single instance, attempted to make a cor- rection or add a word, but have written the thoughts down just as they came into my mind ; therefore, I ask your for- bearance, and, should you find anything commendable herein, I shall be glad and feel that my work has not been an entire failure. CLARA L. BELL. hil^x Farriiigtoii Printing Cu., .'.:'. Beacli St., Boston, ^A^\ CONTENTS. A Christmas Story (Recitation) page 14-15 A Lesson ON THE Motto F., Iv.& T " 18 A Dream " 5 A Wish " 24 A Prayer " 11 Asking HeivP " 15 After Many Years '• " 8 Christmas " 26 Cosmos " 6 DuKiE Boy " 9 Easter - " 16 Fate " 6 Forbodings " 11-12 In MT. WOI.LASTON Cemetary " 28 In Dreams " 25 IvAURANCE " 19 LukeXV-6. John III-3 " 24 My Dear, Dead Love " 13-14 Nativity " 15 Not a Sparrow Faeleth " 22-24 Old Hundred (Recitation) " 21-22 Old UnceE BiEE (Song) " 16 Pictures from the Blue Hills " 20 Rainy Day in the Attic '* 18 Repentance " 19 Severed " 17 Sometime, Some Day " 5-6 Signs of Spring " 13 To " 19 To the Same " 20 To Baby " 10 The Mother's Thoughts (In the Gloaming) " 7-8 The Evening Bell " 12 Thoughts at Dusk " 11 The Katy-Did " 26-27 A DREAM. I dreamed of a beautiful niausiou, Halls paved with marble so cold ! Rare statues aud tapestries, pictures And books bound in vellum and gold ! Outside, there were beautiful gardens Filled with plants so lovely and rare. Their exotic perfume all filling With fragrance, the rooms and the air. On a couch in a corner reclining (In a room, the hangings light blue), As I gazed I saw there, my lover, My darling so fond and so true ! But so different— the look on his face ! And he looked so white and so cold That a feeling of horror stole o'er me. And of sorrow and doubt all untold. I aw'Oke ! but the memory lingers Of the clasp of a cold, white hand. The beauty and perfume of flowers, Aud a doubt I cannot understand. And I fear that some ill has befallen Him in that far-away laud, And that that is the cause of my fears And of the doubt, I cannot understand. SOMETIME, SOME DAY. (Written in 1S79.; Somewhere, somewhere, is a fair Heavenly land ; When one of us be called to join the Angel band Will I or you be first, my dear ? Or you or I left on this earth so drear? Sometime, the day will dawn when heart shall swell With thoughts hard to express, 'twere vain to tell. In that sad time so dark, so dark and drear. Will it be you or I, my dear ? Sometime, the sweet love words that now we say Will be a memory ne'er to fade away. A day shall come when one can never speak, And to the other life be all forlorn and bleak, In that sad time so dark, so dark and drear, Will it be you or I, my dear? Sometime, some day, and one will stand with all abated breath. Watch the last sleep and say : "and is this death ? ' In that sad time so dark, so dark and drear. Will it be you or I, my dear? darling ! you, my more than very life, 1 think that even death itself be sweet, That I would gladly go alone to that "Fair land," If, when I "fall asleep," you only hold my hand. FATE. I wandered by the river brink, I met a maiden fair and sweet ; I sat me on the bank to think, Then, I thought, I would her greet : I spoke ! said I : "O maiden fair, Whence comest thou, O maid most dear? " She pushed aside her wavy hair. Quoth she : "I come when none are near.' Said I : "O tell me lovely mate Thy name, I do not know it yet." Then found I had been courting Fate, When her answer came — it was "Kismet. COSMOS. In the springtime sweet, when Nature all was fair, I tarried with my darling. She had violets in her hair ; Blossoms all so fair and sweet. Their perfume o'er me stealing Sent thrills of love all thro' my hearty O ! rapt'rous thoughts revealing ! When at last the summer came. And with it the wild rose, We walked again together, The day was at its close ; In her hair the roses nestled As she lingered by my side, I said : "wear these, my dear one, On the day that you're my bride." G And she answered : "when October Conies, with leaves of Autumn rare, There blooms a flower, the Cosmos, I wait to wear those blossoms fair." It is ' 'autumn : " — in my garden Is a plant whose radiance gleams Like a sweet white face that cometh Only to me in my dreams ; And I pluck the Cosmos flower Autumn winds did kindly save. Rut I place the pretty blossoms On a lonely, new-made grave ! THE MOTHER'S THOUGHTvS. In the Gloaming. When the day is slowly fading And the sun is sinking low, Rose-tints o'er the hills a-shadiug, 'Tis then I love to go And sit in the open doorway. Where, gazing down the street, I can see the people come and go And hear their hurrying feet. In my mind I see a maiden, Lovely as the dawn of day. Brow so fair, eyes like blue pansies, Merr}^ charming, winsome, Ray ! Since she left us, nineteen summers Have we spent in the old home. "Dead? " you ask : "No, only married. And to a distant country gone." There comes before me now the dear face Of a boy, a lissom youth ; Faults he had some — ^good qualities, many, And he always spoke the truth. Alas! the tempter came and won him To his side — my bonny boy — And he fell — his truth condemned hiui, But in Heaven for him there's joy. I see a form beside me. I hear a voice so low I scarce can hear it, my little Blind girl is with me now. Strange, that of all the gay throng She was the chosen one — My little Ruth— to bear the burden So heavily laid upon ! In the quiet summer gloaming The thought comes of the one Who always "did the chores" for me When his daily work was done ; i He recked not of the sneeriugs Thrown at him by his mates, My noble l)oy, he standeth now By "Heaven's pearly gates ! " Yes, two have gone to Heaven, My boys so tall and strong. My delicate girls are left here To battle with earth's wrong. Strange course of eventful nature, That takes the strong and leaves the weak To close my slumbering eyelids And smooth my withered cheek. Night after night I listen For the step I know so well, Hoping as the moments go No harm has the one befell Who for so many long years Has jogged along with me Over life's road so rugged, But by him made smooth to be. The twilight is swiftly fading And the stars begin to peep. But still I linger in the doorway And my lonely vigil keep. My child (the one that is left me Of all the others here at home). Now tells me "the dew is falling And father home has come." So I leave my place in the doorway And quickly go within To receive the kiss that awaits me, What matter iny cheek is thin ? Although ni}' sight is fainter And my hair is most all graj^ That love is still as fresh to us As on my bridal day ! AFTER MANY YEARS. Song to J. M. Since last we met Many years have passed away, And we meet now as lovers no more ; But we never will forget Those bright days that have passed. Nor the many good old times we had of yore. We have both met and loved Other dear ones since then, Thro' other paths do we rove. But we never will forget The bright times that have been Or the moonlight in the old pine grove. Your form now is bent And your hair is tinged with grey, And there's furrows on j^oiir once smooth brow, But 3'Our eyes still are bright And your voice still is sweet , As when you pledged to nie that solemn vow. Old mem'ries stir our hearts, Old songs recall the scenes That we both would fain forget, But when we think of the present And the ones that we have chosen. We find there is nothing to regret. DUKIE BOY. (Died Aug. It, iSSg.) He was only a horse ! Just a horse, you know. But always faithful And ready to go Through all Aveathers, Cold or warm. He carried his master And through many a storm. Only a horse ! It seems so qxieer Perhaps to you That I shed a tear ; But I do, I cannot help it, We miss him so ! Only a horse ! Good faithful friend, No one over Your grave will bend ; Quietly you rest In the wood, alone. Naught marks the spot. Not even a stone. But we'll not forget you, Good, tried Duke, What care I, if They do rebuke, And say : why cry For a horse? Does nobody care? 9 Yes, there's one other Who misses you, too, The master you carried So long, faithful one, Who mourns you Now, but your Work is done. There's an empty stall In the barn today. There's a sorrowing heart, Is it always the way That what we love Most, is taken? 1 Good-bye, Dukie Boy ! You are "only a horse," And they say : "be thankful It is no worse ; " And we are, but We miss you all the same. With a sorrow, Duke, We cannot name. And so I'll be quiet And mourn alone, But it seems as if A friend were gone ! TO BABY. (Who died.) Thou wert too frail a thing Earth's woes to brave, And the soul returned To the God who gave. Like some sweet flower We watched the bud unfold, Only to droop and fade Away, touched by the cold. Sleep, softly sleep ! Life's journey o'er, Safe with the angels Thou art evermore. Rest, sweetly rest ! Out from the night So dark you went To the Eternal light. Farewell, sweet babe. Our loss, thy gain. For earth's paths but pave The way Heaven's Perfection to attain. Safe from all pain, On the Saviour's breast, "Free" from all care, Rest, sweetly rest! 10 THOUGHTS AT DUSK. It is just in the dusk of the twilight, Just at the ending of day, That quiet time called the gloaming, Our tired minds and thoughts stray Far from life's cares and its shadows, As our burdens seem fading from sight ; For we know that another day conieth, A day when all shall see light. Yet the day seems long in coming, As the clouds still darker grow, How shall we hear the message ? How "see" and the real truth know? Wishing, hoping, longing, Waiting for the day When the angel shall come from Heaven To bear my soul away ; But I know that each day later Is one day nearer the Goal, I shall find There the rest I seek, Peace for the weary soul. A PRAYER. I am alone. And yet, I know That God is nigh ; O! send Thy blessing Down, Most Holy, From on High ! When troubles come We say of prayer : "Of what avail? " Yet Thou art near When woes assail. Oh, teach the way O Lord ! This stubborn heart subdue, Show me Thy grace, O Lord Teach me anew ; I grope so blindly. Lord, Yet long for Thee, So often hear Thee .saj- : "Come unto Me ! " FORBODINGS. "There was no music but his voice to hear. No joy but such as with his step draws near ; Light was but where he looked, life where he moved: Silentlv, fervently, thus, thus I loved." — Hevians. 11 A day will come, all so dreary, When you will be left all alone, You will weep and your heart will be weary When you realize that I am gone — "Gone" from your sight, "gone" for'er love, Far from this world's earthly care; Out of the darkness to light, love. From troubles you could not share. You will think of the words I have spoken. Of the love I can never more prove. You will think of a face up in Heaven Watching o'er 3'ou from Above ; And the world will go on just the same, love, And the sun just as brightly will shine. Other lips will press yours in parting. Other hands will clasp yours — not mine ! The days will be plenteous with l)rightuess. Other friends 3'our laurels will share. They'll know naught of the heart-rending sorrow, Or the burden of woe that you bear. And I know that you'll miss me, my darling ! And long for the days of the past. Days fraught with sunshine and gladness, Happy days all too bright to last. But— There's a land where earth's cares and its shadows Fade away in the beautiful skies, Yes, in realms up Above, O my dear one ! 'Tis there true love never dies ! THE EVENING BELL. Now upon my senses softly stealing. Comes the sound of evening's Vesper bell, Sending mem'ries thro' my heart resounding, Telling me of times remembered well. Bringing recollections dear and tender Of a dream that's long since passed away. Recollections that I'll long remember, Oft' to them my willing thoughts will stray. In my mind bright pictures I can see, Neither time nor ages can efface, Just as cadence of some sweet song lingers Until the singer has long since left his place. 12 SIGNvS OF SPRING. •Come, listen to the robin As he gaily swings to and fro On a bough of the old gray poplar, Singing merrily, now high, now low. vSee how the sweet little jonquils, Just lifting their heads from the ground, Having been asleep all the winter, Are now timidly gazing around, Saying:, "we're fearful still, that old winter May not be all gone yet. And if we're not very careful A nipping we'll be sure to get." The birds and the flowers and the children With joy hail the coming of spring. For the trees their embryo verdure Soon forth to the light will bring MY DEAR, DEAD LOVE. dearest, sweetest, best ! My own first love ! Look down with tender Pitying eyes from up Above ! 1 am so tired with this Weary, endless strife, The days and davs of toil Of this— called life ! This life — a living death, With agony in every breath, Stretch out thy hand and touch me, You from that far land ! I stretch my a^^ms about me But they empty fall. Darkness is all around Me. like a pall! ' Send me some word. Some message, O my love. One little message Only from AVjove ! I speak, you answer not, vSo far away ! I call, 3'ou cannot hear One word I say. The only time you ever Turned unwilling ear ; The only time I ever called You would not hear ! Yes ; I am weary, darling With the strife, And long so much to hear you say : "My love, my life, my wife! " 13 Oh ! tell me, will you meet Me soon, my own? Thine be the hand to guide Me when I come — Am called to meet you In (once more) our "home " ? O call me soon, O come And take me "home" to rest, My own true love, O sweetest, dearest, best ! A CHRISTMAS STORY. Recitation. Somehow, it does'nt seem Ivike Christnaas this year, wife: I suppose it is because we miss So much the little life Entrusted to our care ; Ah me ! Was ever gem More dearly prized, more rare? She went away : now let me see, 'Tis ten long years today Since death's cold hand Broke our home band, Took Marjorie away. Do you remember, wife, the year She searched the woods all over For evergreen and holly bright, Our homely walls to cover? She draped the walls and pictures, too With mistletoe and pine In memory of Him who was born Among the lowly kine. * * * * We're sitting here alone, dear wife. Our boy has gone away ; We never thought Our cherished son Would ever go astray. Somehow, I never thought How it could be that our Joe Would forge a check. Would cause us such Deep and bitter sorrow. Ah well ! Mayhap that some day The clouds will a silver lining show. And in the bright hereafter We shall the real truth know. Hark! Wife, I think I hear a step And 'tis a step we know ! O can it be — it surely is — It really is our Joe ! U A lady with him (stranger, too), Also a little child With golden hair (As Marjorie's was ) With eyes as blue and mild ! "I never, father, would come back Until I knew — was sure— That you knew, as I knew, That I was ever pure. The thief, in dying, confessed his guilt And cleared for aye my name. Thank God no guilt has ever tarnished Or shall mar our fair name ; And she, who, in my time of need. Stood ever by my side, I bring to you, my wife, And little Marjorie, our pride! " How happy the old home On the eve of Christmas day. All trouble now is o'er, The clouds have rolled away ; The firelight throws its shadows On a happy group I "ken" As the Christmas bells are chiming "On earth, peace, good will towards men." ASKING HELP. Each night I search my Bible some goodly text to see. Help me the lessons found there, to try and profit me. Help me the teachings found there wherever I niav seek. May make me be Thy child, oljedieut, loving, meek ! NATIVITY. God said : "Let there be light ! ' Forthwith was born the day. And nature smiled, was born. And nothingness swept away. From matters' deep, dark place Shone forth a brightening ray Out of the blackened space Shone forth the light of day ! 1.') I thiuk the soul exists Before the body is born ; Just so sure the soul lives ou After the body is gone. EASTER. There is no "death ! " We only fall asleep In this cold world Of trouble and of care, And when we waken, Find ourselves transplanted To that bright "home" Of love and treasure rare. OLD UNCLE BILL. Song. Down in the South Stands the cabin lone and still, No more we'll hear the voice Of old Uncle Bill, Hanging on the wall Is his old hoe and spade Last used by him When the tater-hill he made. Chorus. Yes, the darkies gathered round As they heard the welcome sound. And many was the good Old dance they had, But the}- won't dance any more And their hearts with grief are sore, And the songs they sing now are sad. Far away upon the hill They have laid old Uncle Bill In his grave, with trembling hands They placed his bow. And the tears roll down the cheeks Of the lonely dusky band As they pass by the home He used to know. — Cho. Old Uncle Bill We never can forget. The echo of his songs Ring in the cabin yet; Often at eve, When the sun was sinking low. They'd meet to hear the music Drawn forth from his old bow. —Cho. 16 SEVERED.