J-.S & ,v< Laughter and Longing BY NANCY BUCKLEY SAN FRANCISCO: MARVIN CLOYD 1921 Copyright, 1921 By NANCY BUCKLEY San Francisco DEC -3 1921 ©O.ft65320l I FOREWORD San Francisco has again produced evi- dence of its witchery — its subtle power to wake vision and move it to gracious expres- sion. In "Laughter and Longing," a collec- tion of her published poems, Nancy Buckley has presented another phase of that distinc- tively Californian music which, through her eminent predecessors and contemporaries, has sung down the years in many keys and modulations. No newcomer could achieve the results won by these poets. They alone, after long years or a lifetime of saturation in the Californian spirit, are filled with a unique quality fitting them for their high task. Miss Buckley, latest and youngest ad- dition to a distinguished company, is heart- ily welcomed and her little book is cordially recommended. Here will be found, modestly, simply, sincerely disclosed, the fine insight of a delicate poetic soul joined to a cultured mind. It is pleasant to add that Miss Buckley is also winning enviable rank as a writer of short stories. A brilliant life waits on her efforts in fiction as well as in verse. W. C. MORROW. San Francisco, November, 1921. ACKNOWLEDGMENT Acknowledgment is hereby made of the courtesy of Munsey's, Top Notch, Good Housekeeping, The Signet, The Penwoman, San Francisco Call, The Wasp, Overland Monthly, The Mag- nificat, Farm Life, The Grail, The Household Guest, The Franciscan Her- ald, Woman's Weekly, Queen's Work, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Exten- sion, Home Friend, The Fun Book, Farm and Home, The Missionary, The Young Catholic Messenger, The Home Quarterly, Social Progress, The World Call, Kind Words, The Telescope, Berkeley Times, Newman Hall Review, The Californian, The Daily American Tribune, The Register, and the Ameri- can Agriculturist for permission to use in this volume poems originally con- tributed to these magazines. To Mary Elizabeth CONTENTS Page Laughter and Longing 3 "At Shut of Evening Flowers" 4 Lanterns 5 Christmas Music '. 6 Faith 7 The Minstrel 8 Butterflies 9 April 10 A Rainy Day 11 The Tryst ; 12 The Little Pilgrims 13 Hunger 14 A Friend 15 Contrast 16 In An Old-Time Garden 17 Light 18 To Kathleen's Eyes 19-20 Her Dowry 21 The Sanctuary Lamp 22 The House of Youth 23 Moon Magic 24 The House of Dreams 25 The Mill Girl.... 26 Flowers at Twilight. 27 Life's Symphony 28 Memories 29 Before a Wood Fire 30 The Gypsy 31 (Continued on Next Page) CONTENTS— Continued Page Solitude 32 Nocturne 33 The Little Things 34 The Masquerader 35-36 My Dream Garden 37 My Riches 38 The Fog 39 Caprice 40 You 41 The Spinner 42 Moonlight on San Francisco Bay 43 Our Lips Were Dumb 44 In the Tea Room 45 A Mother to Her Little Son 46 Christmas Joy 47 The Artist Speaks.. 48 Serenade . . . 49 Spring Song 50 Crossing the Bay 51 Umbrellas 52 The Old Violin , 53 Dawn Magic 54 To Jean , 55 Sunset On the Bay.., 56 One Golden Day 57 Reveille 58 Aloha 59 Laughter and Longing HAUGHTER, — for the perfumed summer night, For high desire — for the swift delight Of lips of flame on soft and scarlet lips, For all the world within my treasure ships. Longing, — for the slender shadowed dawn, For elfin call of silver-fluted morn, For roses red, bedewed with happy tears, For just an hour of the vanished years. [3] "AT SHUT OF EVENING FLOWERS" X GLIDE across the street in cloak of dreams, And knock upon your little door. It seems To open swiftly to my eager hand, And there, as in the old sweet days, you stand. I touch your fragrant lips so tenderly, I hear the murmured words you speak to me, I see your eyes filled with the wistful smile That made my joy for such a little while. Then music melts along the golden air, All filled with scent of roses faint and rare, And as the veil is lifted from the past, Our hearts remember dreams that could not last. [4] 03 LANTERNS Y memories glowing lanterns are, They shed a radiance from afar; And show me joys of bygone years, Filmed with the mist of happy tears. Brave light in eyes that would not weep, A year's sweet Spring that Love would keep, A little house so white and still, A gypsy lane, a friendly hill, A sapphire sky, a sunset hue, A laughing sea all silver-blue. Filled with the light of vanished Mays, The lanterns brighten all my days. [5] CHRISTMAS MUSIC a PON the hushed air of night, soft strains Of melody came down, like gentle rains That fall from pitying skies. Then woke from sleep The shepherd band and breathed in silence deep The ecstasy of sound. And from afar Poised like a golden bird, they saw a star ! Then soft it moved and winged it music way To where in grateful straw there lay A woman fair and on her soft white breast A Babe but newly born smiled in His rest, And to her thrilled ears His hunger cries Were sweeter far than music from the skies. She heeded not the midnight's golden grace, For found she heaven in her Baby's face. [6] FAITH X BUILT a castle in sunny Spain, With towers and turrets fair; And then at the touch of wind and rain, My castle dissolved in air. I set a fleet on the azure sea, With a freight of dreams so bright; But never a ship returned to me, Though I watched through day and night. And yet I know, some happy day, I'll see my castle in Spain, And all my ships that sailed away Will come home over the main. [7] THE MINSTREL HIFE wooed me once with roundelay, And roses and the sweets of May, And soft as summer stars his eyes Or summer wind that sings and dies. Life wooed me once with silent song, That bore a heavy grief along, And cold as is the Winter's sun Were his dark eyes when Love was done. Oh ! Life, you took your roses fair, Your songs that thrilled the eager air, And left the heavy grief and sore Across the threshold of my door. [8] BUTTERFLIES I XN Summer in my garden fair, Bright butterflies are everywhere, And underneath their shining wings, Are hid the dreams of splendid things. II In Winter when the sun is dead And youth's bright hour is quickly fled, Within the snow my butterflies Drift wraith-like from the leaden skies. [9] APRIL nER eyes are filled with laughter bright, Her feet are shod with gold, Her lips are made of morning light, And happiness untold. Upon her cheek the Sun's warm kiss, And in her hands young Love, And Joy springs up in sudden bliss, Like flight of happy dove. A truce she's made with Sorrow deep, And ever-bitter Care, And in her heart so fair and bright Youth dwells eternal there. [10] A RAINY DAY CHE little fingers of the rain Beat gently on my window-pane, And through the misted glass I see Small figures that, like elves in glee, Dance here and there, soft-clasped with hands Of restless winds that give commands. And with their boisterous fun and play They brighten up the darksome day. They whisper through the tears of rain That sparkle on my window-pane, That in ourselves are ever made The days of sunshine and of shade. What matters if the skies be grey, If in our hearts it's always May? [11 THE TRYST i^HROUGH the misted light of early morn, \^^ Through silvery shadows of scented dawn, My pulses leap as I quickly run To keep my tryst with The Loved One. And there in the chapel's silence dim A little red lamp burns bright for Him, Like my ardent heart it seems to soar And touch with soft light The Golden Door. The bell rings low and He comes to me Just my own Love with no majesty, And all forgot is Life's grief and pain As He dwells in my throbbing heart again. Each passing hour of my busy day, Is filled with light from that morning ray, And ever closed is my heart to sin, For I've kept the tryst of Love with Him. [12] THE LITTLE PILGRIMS MALL pilgrims brown my memories are, They come from journeyings afar, And each one brings in his wee hand Some little gift from distant lands; One brings some gold from the rainbow's end, And one, the heart of a loyal friend ; One sings my mother's lullaby, One bids me see a sunset sky. And one is drenched with silver mist Of moonlight fair when young lips kissed. Their sandalled feet press on my heart — And then their caravans depart As silently and tenderly As happiness descends on me! [13 HUNGER OUTSTRETCHED his hungry hands. The passing throng Took little notice as it moved along, And heeded not the beggar's piteous plea, Nor turned a second time his face to see. Save one, — a woman young and very fair, Whose April face gleamed white beneath her hair, And 'gainst her velvet dress an orchid died, So close to her, — content and satisfied. A coin that matched her golden hair she dropped Into the thirsting crippled hands, then stopped And gave the richer gold of sympathy That e'en the beggar's sightless eyes could see. Her wistful eyes looked out on life and pled, E'en as the lean and hungry hands, for bread, For living bread was her unuttered cry, For faith and hope and love that could not die. They both were beggars poor : the man craved dole For body starved, the woman for her soul. [14] A FRIEND ^TfiORN was I with the biting heat, VX/ Of desert's glaring sun, Of cruel sands that bruised my feet, My journey scarce begun. And then my startled ears were filled With sound of sweetest song, A song a brooklet made that trilled And ran white ways along. I held its coolness in my hand, And drank its sweet delight, — The fairest scene in all the land Its waters sparkling white. So when my life was spent with fear, In desert of defeat, And there seemed no one far or near To guide my erring feet. Softly from out the night you came, And like the brooklet clear, You quenched the all-consuming flame Of bitterness and fear. [15] CONTRAST ir^HEN you are far away no golden streams VAx Of sunlit waters flow — no happy dreams Take my sad heart for their own resting place. And all in vain I look for your dear face, I listen vainly for your gentle voice, Whose music notes made envious birds rejoice! But like a weighted year seems each dull day — Each night and noon, when you are far away. When you are near, Joy folds her eager wings To rest awhile, and all the glad world sings A happy song that charms away dull care. And sunlight shines and birds fly through the air, And slow across the sea of sapphire sky, Like tiny ships, the cloudlets wander by, And all is fair and bright, and life is dear, And heaven's very close — when you are near. [16] IN AN OLD-TIME GARDEN OFT stirring 'neath the hand of June, That ever-gentle touch of love ; The flowers seem to ope full soon, And smile at sunny skies above, And watch the lovely jasmine throng Shed perfume as it moves along. Tall fragrant lilies, white and gold, Like slender sentinels they seem, Who keep still watch o'er roses bold Enthralled in love-raptured dream. And lavender in purple guise Is showering tints for babies' eyes ! And when the happy moon pours down Upon the garden silver rain, A lady fair in silken gown Awakes from sleep and walks again, And greets once more her lover there, Who puts a rose in her dark hair. [17] LIGHT yjr^Y lamp shall be thy gentle eyes, V*-k So calm, so full of love, That brighten all life's gloomy skies, As stars that shine above. My lamp shall be thy ardent hope, So steadfast, true and clear, A beacon to poor souls that grope Adown a darkened year. My lamp shall be thy tenderness, So soft and free from care, Like mother's hands that come to bless A child at lisped prayer. [18] TO KATHLEEN'S EYES j^n WO little fairies were lost one day, ^^/ Two gay little elves- in brown, Far from their home they wandered away, And traveled the busy town. When the sun shone bright you heard their song And it made you laugh with glee, As with the breezes they danced along, As gay as ever could be. And all went well for a little space, And the elves were brave and bold. For the joy and the smiles on the sunny face Of the world that ne'er grows old. But when the bright stars so small and shy Had peeped through the wings of Night, And a big round moon filled all the sky And the earth with silver light, The gay little fairies were filled with fear And longed to be safe asleep [19 But alas ! no cheery home was near, The brown ones began to weep. Just then sweet Kathleen came passing by With a red rose in her hair, And her pretty head held ever so high, The brightest coleen there ! The little brown babies saw her face With its wondrous eyes of brown, They straightway forgot their merry chase And the home they lost in town. For soft and warm were sweet Kathleen's eyes, And the fairies quickly flew To their dear refuge ; with happy sighs They basked in their golden dew. In that cheerful prison they passed their time. Barred in by lashes long, And Kathleen's eyes more sweetly shine Because of the fairies' song. [20] HER DOWRY OH ! the rich, rich gold in her shining hair, And the sapphires in her eyes, And the rubies red in her lips as fair As the flame in sunset skies. Oh ! the rich, rich gold in her loyal heart, And the bright gleam in her looks, So like the sunbeams that quiver and dart And ripple the shiny brooks. Oh ! the rich, rich gold of her faith and love, Of her warm tenderness, That have come like soft visions from above, My poverty to bless. [21 THE SANCTUARY LAMP ^^^HE rainbow streams of sunset glory fair, ^^^ Poured radiant splendor on the floor, and there Were many shining pools of gold, so bright They made the hushed darkness seem alight. But one small rival of their brilliancy Burned, like an ardent heart, for all to see: A little lamp whose softly pulsing ray Was ever beating through the night and day. So close it was, so near the door of gold, This rosy living flame by Love made bold, Seemed to o'erleap its shining crystal band, And with its rose and lily sisters stand : Wee small sweet sentinels who gladly bring Their little lives as tribute to the King. [22] THE HOUSE OF YOUTH O swift we go with eager feet Into the House of Youth to meet The dreams and hopes and happy tears That vanished with our golden years. And then from dark horizon's brim The moon steals up with silver rim, And scent of roses fills the air And your dear eyes are sparkling there. My pulses leap while the night bird sings And hours pass as flash of wings. We hear the river's murmuring flow As we two heard it years ago When young together, you and I, Found Love's star in a midnight sky. [23] MOON MAGIC i^vHE white enchantress presses slender hands ^^^ Upon my dreaming face and with bright bands Of silver light she seals my eyes from pain, And makes me live my dreams of youth again. And June leaves whisper, and red roses blow, And nightingales pour forth their songs' sweet flow. And all the land with magic charm is filled, And Sorrow's voice within my heart is stilled. [24] THE HOUSE OF DREAMS HIKE gentle doves across the sky The silver cloudlets wander by, And flowers' dewy hands caress The walls that hold my happiness, And summer winds from o'er the hill Make music sweet when all is still. And when night comes, the moonbeams bright Fill all the world with silver light, And fragrant perfume faint and rare Awakens all the slumbering air, In my small house of dreams. And then, Beloved, you come to me, Upon the clouds of Memory, And once again our hearts beat high And tender love, that cannot die Fills all our house of dreams. Until, with dawning of the day, You take my heart and slip away, And leave in your young beauty's stead But ashen memories cold and dead, In my small house of dreams. [25 THE MILL GIRL ELL through the day she hears the whirring rhyme Of flying steel — not soft as when in time Of dreamy Summer all the honey bees Murmur and hum within the hollow trees, And all day long she sees but tired heads Bend sad and low above the spinning threads And stunted wasted bodies pinched for food The while they work for fashion's idle mood. But not for her the smiling sapphire skies The roses' scent, the winds' soft-whispered sighs, The fiery opal moon, the star-drops bright That hang upon the pulsing breast of night, Who through the weary hours of the day Unceasing spins her little life away, And weaves her dreams, her blood, her heart, her strength, Into the beauty of a silken length. [26] FLOWERS AT TWILIGHT aNDER the gentle touch of twilight there, The flowers ever seem to grow more fair, And ardent roses try to hide their blush While listening to the music of a thrush. The golden lilies, pure and white and tall, Gleam like bright candles in some stately hall, And jewelled leaves their shining all unfold As soft as when a tale of love is told. And bending low to touch the violet's eyes, I meet your own in swift and glad surprise ! [27] LIFE'S SYMPHONY OIKE silken threads the subtle themes Weave in and out their web of dreams, And form a pattern fair to see, As some Italian tapestry. And gleaming there is Love's gold strand And near it is a silver band Made from young laughter; and the gray That falls as mist across the way Of shadowed lives ; and then the blush Of rose before the day ; the hush From night's soft wings ; the russet leaves That fall as tears when Autumn grieves. Upon the grateful air it hangs, And hearts enmeshed feel not the pangs Of restless pulsing, but the cease Of conflict and the dawn of peace. [28 MEMORIES V-^FTTIMES i n to the silence of my room ^L^ There gently steals a faint and sweet perfume, As if an ardent rose, soft-stirred by love, Fluttered its petals small like trembling dove. Lo, from each crimson leaf there quickly falls A little tender dream that softly calls And bids my lonely heart again to see The smallest treasures of my memory; A golden hope that thrilled me as it came, A happy bird that warbled in the rain, A joy that made my heart so glad and strong, The hallowed beauty of my mother's song; The sunset glory in an evening sky, The soft appeal within a violet's eye. These tiny rose-leaves with their film of tears Fall bright across the pathway of the years ! [29] BEFORE A WOOD FIRE ES crimson rose, the fire burned red, And tiny flames like petals shed A faint perfume then brightly fell With music notes of tinkling bell Or low-breathed croon of lullaby That mother sings to hush a cry. And tender half-forgotten dreams Fill all my heart until it seems As if life's pathway rough and steep A happy road lay at my feet. And through the fire's witchery The dull grey day no more I see But little skies sun-kissed full soon, And smiling dancing seas and June! [30] 03 THE GYPSY Y heart's a gypsy, gay and free, Who ever dances on the lea, And plays beneath the scented veil Of Summer twilight faint and pale. II My heart's a gypsy, brave and bold, Who never thinks of worldly gold, Who owns the silver of the moon, The wealth of stars in skies of June ! Ill My heart's a gypsy, shy and small, Who never wants to roam at all, Who runs to tender arms to sleep Whene'er he sees the shadows creep. [31 SOLITUDE O high above the dust and smoky gloom, Like swallows' tiny nest hangs my small room. At early morn across the roofs I see The daylight come, so limitless and free. And then at eve my raptured eyes behold The hills agleam with floods of sunset gold. I hear the birds asinging in the eaves, The gentle rustle of the Autumn leaves, And like soft friendly eyes across the night, Are all the brood of tiny stars, so bright. Up here, where air is pure and breeze is sweet, I leave behind the noise and glaring heat, And darkened vision quick begins to clear, And Love and Heaven seem so very near. [32] NOCTURNE XLEFT Love grieving at the trysting place ; My restless eyes turned from his pleading face And said: "There is so much for me to do — And time is swift — I have no need of you. Some other day, perhaps when youth is done And all the victories of life are won, A tryst we'll keep." And so I played the game That men have played for years, and wealth and fame Were mine. Still in the whispering of the woods I heard his voice, and in the happy broods Of stars at dusk I saw his wistful eyes Look into mine and fill with soft surprise At my poor foolish running after things That passed so quickly like the flash of wings; And all the wasted empty years went past Until, touched by the hand of Pain, at last My sleeping heart awoke and ran to meet Love at the tryst. But Death had been more fleet. [33] THE LITTLE THINGS CHE little things of life are dear ! The tender little things so near : The waking in the singing morn, The lifting of the veil of dawn, The crackle of the nursery fire, And Love's small tasks that never tire, The words that make the heart rejoice, The music lilt of baby's voice, The little view of smiling sky And purple hills where shadows lie. The scented air — the bright eyed flower, The silence hushed of twilight hour. They come as soft as angel's wings, They are so dear — the little things. [34] THE MASQUERADER XLOST my Love one sunny day In Spring's immortal hours, When all the world was out at play Amid the waving flowers. She ran from me with laughing eyes, That gleamed through golden hair, And all the blue of happy skies Was held in thralldom there. I followed fast with flying feet, I called her dearest name ; But she had vanished quite complete, My labor seemed in vain. I hunted all the wide world o'er, I searched among the flowers, [35] I wandered on the ocean's shore, And in deserted bowers. But one sad day when hope had left The shelter of my heart, I felt then that I was bereft And let the hot tears start. But soon I saw a child at play, And heard a merry voice, That made me brush my tears away And bade my heart rejoice. Her eyes glowed blue like sapphires bright, Or starlets up above, And hidden 'neath their glorious light I found my little Love. [36] MY DREAM GARDEN XKNOW where deep blue violets blow, Where soft vines creep, white lilies grow ; Where all day long, in Summer time, You hear the river's drowsy rhyme. Lo, perfumed flowers their incense bring, And every leaf is an emerald wing ! Then, at the eve, through silver bars Of moonlight fair, peep baby stars. So calm, so still, the gentle air, As if soft dreams were thronging there, And waiting but for memory's kiss To live again their hour of bliss ! [37] MY RICHES XHAVE a little dusky rose That showers perfume rare, As on the summer wind it blows, So gay and free from care. I have a little happy view Of ever smiling sky, Where clouds of palest silver-blue Like doves go wand'ring by. I have a little golden dream That haunts me night and day. And like a starlet's golden beam Lights up my darksome way. The rose with dusky leaves apart, The happy little view, The golden dream within my heart, Are memories of you ! [38] THE FOG HIKE soft, sheer silken veil, it gently fell Across the City's face, and wove its spell Of happiness upon those tired hearts That played, through weary hours, bitter parts. And little, darting dreams of long ago, Came fluttering near, so soft and low, With tender, eager wings. And golden rays Of truant beams escaped from happier days, Fell on each restless, tired heart and hand, And made the misted world seem Fairyland. [39] CAPRICE HAST night you looked at me with tender eyes ; I saw Love hid beneath their fair disguise, I joyed to hear your music-laughter take A softer, gentler note for my poor sake. But now in vain I seek that brighter glow Your eyes had worn but one brief hour ago — Your laughter's heady wine I quaff no more, That warmed the shivering beggar at your door. [40] YOU CHEY tell me you are very fair, They speak of gold within your hair, Of your dear face that gleams so white, A little moon in golden night. They bid me see in your sweet eyes, Twin starlets fallen from the skies. They say the rosebud ever slips Beneath disguise of your red lips. I laugh and say : I only know The touch of hair that glitters so, Can only see the glad surprise That came one day into your eyes When in an ecstasy of bliss, I crushed the rosebuds in a kiss ! [41] THE SPINNER OF his own golden beauty spun, The threads of tinted silk, the Sun With eager hands his shuttle plied Until at eve he flung aside The soft rich web of fabric fair, And every rainbow hue was there: Pure gold as bright as angel-wings, And silver mists the moonbeam brings, And gray as soft as children's tears, And faintest rose-flush that appears On new-kissed lips, and palest blue Of cloudlets drenched with shining dew. And from this stuff of light and shade The dreaming heart its tissue made. [42] MOONLIGHT ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY i^HE happy moon blushed warm as ardent Night ^^/ His love tale told. Then slipped from shoulders white Her scarf of pure and shim'ring silver spun By laughing fairies when their work is done. Down, down, it fell, as soft as petals flung From roses white, or song that Love has sung, Until its beauty rested for a while On happy waves, that soon began to smile, And ever tried with gentle hands to lift And softly touch the white and gleaming drift Of jewels made from dancing silver beams That played with little stars and lived in dreams. [43] OUR LIPS WERE DUMB OUR lips were dumb ; but glances swift and fast As living arrows flew between our eyes. And in that short goodbye — our first and last — We knew the bliss and loss of Paradise. Our lips were dumb ; no foolish words were said, No parting sighs nor burst of useless tears. But thy dear silent voice called from the dead And made to live again our golden years. [44] IN THE TEA ROOM S CROSS the room there falls a screen Of perfumed smoke, and bright eyes seem Like tiny bits of darkened glass. And slow the idle hours pass, While strains of dreamy music sweet, Fall on the heart with pulsing beat, And nectar rare in dainty sips Flows past the full and painted lips, And by their faces one can see They feed their thirsty souls on tea. [45] A MOTHER TO HER LITTLE SON I O small your hands to hold my heart, That restless beat through day and night And like a captive arrow-dart Was ever poised for instant flight. II So small your hands, their slenderness So like gold lilies, fragrant, fair, But all my life they've come to bless And leave the whole of Heaven there. Ill So small your mouth, so honey-sweet, And soft as folded angel-wings, Or blossoms falling at my feet, Or happy songs my glad heart sings. IV So small your mouth, so crimson-lipped, And fashioned for your mother's kiss, And every halting word that slipped Past that dear portal brought me bliss. [46] CHRISTMAS JOY ©HE little shepherds followed swift, Upon the golden star. The rift Its shining passage made was filled With arrow darts of song that thrilled Their boyish hearts to ecstasy. And then their eager eyes did see In stable dark a Babe asleep, Within warm arms that fain would keep Him there for yet a little while. But soon He woke, and with a smile Gave welcome to the shepherd band, And blessed with His own tiny hand, Each happy boy who crowded near, And soft caressed Him, without fear. His mother saw, with quickened heart, How soon would come the hour to part, How soon the world its claims would press, And rob her of her happiness. But now within her sheltering arms She held Him close and safe from harms, Her Babe Divine, her only One, Her God and yet her little Son. 47] THE ARTIST SPEAKS nOW will I paint thee, dear, what tints so fair Will show the golden splendor of thy hair? Or what soft shade will match the wistful smile That comes to thy young mouth to rest awhile? Oh, not with colors bright nor vivid hues, Nor purple's arrogance, nor dashing blues ; But with elusive shimmering misty grey, With palest flush of rose long hid away In dawn's soft veil. I'll mix with cunning art Upon the palette of my throbbing heart These colors rare ; then paint the moonlight's sheen, The cloudlet's blue — the glory of a dream. [48] SERENADE OH ! once to me the sea was wondrous fair, When rays of silver splendor lingered there. Once, too, I loved the azure fields of space, Each star ablaze in its appointed place. Now from beneath thy window, tenderly My winged song flies straight and swift to thee ; And all forgot in this sweet thrilling hour, The bright-eyed sea, the moonbeams' silvern shower. [49] SPRING SONG gCART passed in the dull grey city street, Piled high with Spring. Each petaled blossom sweet Was like a bird that sang a song of hope, And every listening heart of those that grope Along life's wilderness forgot its fears And saw dead memories live through happy tears. The flowers in music sweetly sang along — The empty hearts reached out and caught the song That lightly flew and thrilled the dusty air With grateful showered notes so sweet and rare ; And as they held it close, it sang of life And love, and hope fulfilled, and ended strife : For a brief hour the heart forgot its pain, And eager hands took up their work again. [50] CROSSING THE BAY i^HE ship cuts furrows deep through silver spray \^S That laughs into the air then drifts away, The soft winds sing a drowsy lullaby — A little moon smiles in a jewelled sky; A happy city glows upon its hills, The ghostly gulls swoop down with eager bills — Over all these the dusky wings of Night Are spread in resting from their day-long flight ! [51] UMBRELLAS ■ tROM out my little window near the sky, ^F * I watched the big umbrellas passing by, So ready and so eager do they seem To sail away like bubbles in a dream, Upon the gusty air. I'd like to see The faces hidden 'neath their mystery. That silken one perhaps bends o'er a girl Fresh-lipped, bright-eyed, with strands of golden curl, The ardent rain has jewelled o'er with dew. And underneath that next one, bright and new, There shines, I know, a face of trust and love, With eyes the soft grey of the brooding dove. And those old green ones ever bobbing near, Shield faces crushed beneath the heel of fear. And so I watch through all the mist and rain The big umbrellas 'neath my window-pane, Until with coming of the sun's bright light They quickly close and vanish from my sight. [52] THE OLD VIOLIN i^HE bow sweeps past the silken strings ^^^ And soft and low the music brings From out the dim and shadowed past The dreams and hopes too sweet to last. Then ladies fair in quilted dress Blush at their own bright loveliness, The while they curtsey very low As through the minuet they go. And phantom knights of bygone days Step through the dance while music plays. And young love dwells in gentle guise Within the depths of dark brown eyes. So softly throbs the violin, So worn and old, so dark and dim ! And still the listening soul is thrilled And empty hearts with joy are filled. And visions come in skies of blue As if to music there they grew ! [53 DAWN-MAGIC HAST night the world held naught but bitter woe, I never thought again its joy to know ; I held the hand of Pain and stumbled past My tender little dreams, too sweet to last. Then came dawn-magic to my quiet room, I touched my lips to daffodils abloom, Then all forgot the broken fretful cry, As, looking up, I saw the smiling sky. [54] TO JEAN X LEARNED from you to hear the lark's glad hymn, Sung to the dawn, from out the shadows dim, To feel the wind's cool sweetness on my lips, To touch a rose with reverent finger-tips. I learned from you to know a sapphire sky, Where clouds, like snowy doves, went wandering by, To see a happy moon pour silver rain, And after cruel grief to smile again. [55] SUNSET ON THE BAY HOW soft and still the waters lie Outspread beneath the smiling sky. How bright the glowing emerald stain On little waves that make a lane Of April beauty, fair and green And bright, beneath the sunlight sheen. But soon the dusky shadows fall, And with their dimness cover all The sea of light. For in the West, A glory glows from every crest Of hill. And shafts of rainbow hue Fall silver soft. And gleaming through The veil of misted scented air The City smiles so proudly there! [56] ONE GOLDEN DAY fY% ^ two went g v P s yi n g one golden day, vLx Along a trail of little shining leaves, And Love walked with us all the glowing way, And Happiness came with the singing breeze. Our hearts stood tiptoe trembling in the glow From little stars up in the happy skies, So glad we were of miles we had to go, So fair the world seemed to our raptured eyes. [57] REVEILLE XHEAR the golden trumpet-lilies blow Soft swaying strains melodious and low And, at the herald sounds, from out the mist Which moonlight wreathes o'er flowers lately kissed, A little troop of tender memories stand : A mother's folding arms, a friendly hand, And love, long hiding, found in dark brown eyes ; A star-bloom fallen from the garden skies, A picture glowing in the fire's red heart, A sudden joy that made the hot tears start, A baby's tiny lips that clung to mine, A silver rain through which the pine-trees shine — Each in his rank, while still the trumpets play, Gleams clear, then fades into the night away. [58] ALOHA COO soon had come the hour to tell The sweet Aloha ! Fond farewell ! Tall slender shafts of silver lay Upon the ocean's heart. The day Had crept to sleep in Night's warm arms, Like fretted child that fears alarms. But now the beach is cool and white In draperies of mist so bright It seems a woman's lovely face Is shining through the gilded lace, And to our saddened hearts the foam Is like white clinging hands ; the moan Of gentle pulsing water seems The requiem to all our dreams. [59] J?D 2 2 • ♦♦ ^ 6* ^ 1>^ ^ ° 4 O • .0 *°i 4 * • « r oV I. °* ♦-»* *° *^ > ** ^ * .0 1 0-a >^ $ D0BBSBR0S. C, »Vfiflfefe* *t* A* LIBRARY BINOIMO AV ^fflflk/B * vV V < FLA ' ' • • *b / c«". ^ 0* ■