PS 3523 
 .E495 
 06 
 1919 
 Copy 1 
 
 OLD WISCONSE 
 
 Arthur G. Leisman 
 
OLD WISCONSE 
 
 and 
 
 OTHER POEMS 
 
 By Arthur G. Leisman 
 
<s^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 COPYRIGHT. 1919. BY ARTHUR G. LEISMAN 
 
 MERRIUl. PUBLISHING CO. PU BL.ISH ERS. MERR11_1_. WIS. 
 
 ©CLAsasars 
 
 
UTiTt the Wisconsin State School for the 
 I Deaf, through whose motherly devo- 
 '"^ tion and guidance the paths of the 
 world of silence have been lightened and 
 glorified revealing fertile fields of endeavor 
 to those who, like myself, have lost their 
 hearing, this book is reverently dedicated. 
 
t ho onv l]tHvis n griednus forong 
 (3lf tlyeg bo bltth ftiitl] sorrolii'g prang; 
 "fife's tup oi jogs atrh snttles nnh song 
 i\re ours to sl]ar^ to m^tkr us stroitg, 
 J\ub thus oiu* iTouthful baos prolong. 
 
Old Wisconse 
 
 river beautiful, the poet's dream, 
 
 How dear the scenes along thy winding stream, 
 How sweet the soothing music as I lie 
 Beside thee, watching fleecy clouds go by. 
 
 What heart of man can fail to stir with thrills 
 When sunset rays enhance thy lofty hills, 
 And singing birds their garp of silence don, 
 While thou, river, toileth on and on? 
 
 By thee the land with milk and honey flows. 
 And o'er thy boulders soft the zephyr blows 
 To fan the milkmaid in yon pastures green, 
 Where lowing herds and roaming sheep are seen. 
 
 1 marvel still to think thy course is fraught 
 With tireless toil that scarce strips thee of aught. 
 When to vast fields the golden grain it brings 
 And to great mills the might of countless springs. 
 
 The things that feed the hunger of the soul 
 Are freely mine to share when oft I sti'oll 
 Along thy vales and breathe of spices sweet — 
 Nor care nor want to bind my buoyant feet. 
 
 Flow on, O river fair, and when no more 
 With thee I roam let me rest by thy shore, 
 That I may answer in the Final Test 
 I, too, in life have given of my best. 
 
• •''•• 
 
 .•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••I 
 
 •••• V •' i • 
 
 Trailing Cloud; 
 
 Trailing clouds that come and go, 
 Adrift to ports of showers, 
 
 Ports that give life and with snow 
 In winter shield the flowers. 
 
 Fleecy white and silver-lined. 
 Like peonies in blossom — 
 
 Oh, how oft my heart has pined 
 To rest me on thy bosom. 
 
 Trailing clouds, what lovely scene 
 When at eve, gray and sombre, 
 
 Sunset rays lie all serene 
 On fleecy folds of slumber. 
 
 Trailing clouds, could I but fly 
 With thee to distant nowheres. 
 
 Gladly would I leave to lie 
 
 In furrows deep my ploughshares. 
 
 Trailing clouds, if far I flew 
 The gayer worlds discerning. 
 
 Shamed I'd feel to think how few 
 The joys I have been earning. 
 
 ;:.: 
 
 •••••••••• * 
 
 •' •• • 
 
 
 i««****«*«»***« 
 
 *•••••••••«•••••*•••••••■ 
 

 .. ♦, •••• 
 
 ••• • • ••• !• - - 
 
 L 
 
 ove 
 
 Is it the flower so full of warmth 
 
 By yonder wayside stream? 
 Is it the scent of pine-clad hi] Is 
 
 That filters through my dieam? 
 Do birds on their light wing lure me 
 
 Still higher to life's goals. 
 And there to vanquish varying winds 
 
 Of failure's threat'ning shoals? 
 Perchance 'tis true, tut of these things 
 
 I breathe a sweeter lay, 
 If in that love I see but you, 
 
 Dear heart, my Queen of May. 
 
 For God is love, and nature's things 
 
 Are gems sent fiom above 
 To teach the world through them to love 
 
 That which is due in love. 
 And ever since the world began 
 
 Lives have been sweetened still, 
 Like full-blown roses, where the path 
 
 With dewy love did fill. 
 And though that love is old, old. 
 
 It's ever new and young — 
 New and fresh to the youth and lass, 
 
 As though from sunrays wrung 
 At dawn of day, and whose bright eyes 
 
 With carefree laughter shine. 
 Whose hearts are joined in woiidrous ties, 
 
 And so with yours and mine. 
 
 • • ••• • 
 
 • • • . • 
 
 •••••••••• * • .1 
 
 
The Alumni 
 
 How dear to mem'ry's musing dream 
 
 Still lingers that June day, 
 When proudly from youth's silv'ry stream 
 
 We steered adown the bay, 
 With hoisted sails to morning's gleam 
 
 Flung high in giand array. 
 
 Ahead and stretching everywhere 
 
 Oui waking eyes did see, 
 Unveiled ghostlike to visions fair. 
 
 The gray mist of life's sea; 
 But clear or foul the long wayfare 
 
 No keen mind could foiesee. 
 
 Though parted our paths from the strand 
 Of school days hallowed still, 
 
 Refreshing scenes of yore shall stand. 
 Our daily life to fill 
 
 With promise that success at hand 
 Is ours where there's a will. 
 
 Oh, be it thus that Father Time 
 
 Shall find our fleet in state 
 Deep anchored in some fertile clime. 
 
 And there perpetuate 
 For each a credit to sublime 
 
 Our class at Heaven's Gate. 
 
Keep Smiling 
 
 If you desire a message true 
 
 That shall make life worth while for you, 
 
 Keep smiling. 
 When on rough seas your course you ply, 
 When for success your aim is high. 
 
 Keep smiling. 
 
 If things are not what they should be, 
 If gloom o'er you sends harsh decree. 
 
 Keep smiling. 
 A grouch in misery has a berth 
 Who does not drink of bubbling mirth; 
 
 Keep smiling. 
 
 Great wealth oft brings unhappiness. 
 Be glad you have w^hat you possess — 
 
 Keep smiling. 
 Think of the birds and their wee nest, 
 With simple life and songsters blest; 
 
 Keep smiling. 
 
 Spread smiles as on your way you go; 
 
 You've but one path to tread, you know- 
 Keep smiling. 
 
 For in this lealm the life we live 
 
 Is measured by the things we give — 
 Keep smiling. 
 
;•.••.• •••• " V •••• '*'':: 
 
 \ ••••• • • •...• .• 
 
 • • • •* 
 
 •• • -• • 
 
 The En^a^ement Rin; 
 
 The sky was blue, the birds were gay, 
 And singing brooks through night and day 
 
 Of care and want scarce knew. 
 The flowers were fresh and full of bees; 
 From bush and hill and orchard trees 
 
 The winds their fragrance blew. 
 Twas May, and beauty filled your eyes, 
 When 3^outhf ul heart found heart and sighs 
 
 Were breathed of love for you. 
 
 Then summer came with month of brides 
 When loving heart in tune abides 
 
 With lark and swift and sky. 
 The hills, the stars, the moon and streams 
 All wrought for me bright rosy dreams, 
 
 Unseen yet mused by eye 
 That saw love worlds the stars among, 
 And filled with life from heartstrings wrung 
 
 Of sweeter vows spoke I. 
 
 Soon came the time of falling leaves 
 When o'er yon fields of golden sheaves 
 
 Loud blew the winds of north. 
 We met once more and saw with pain 
 Red roses fall, but gay again. 
 
 As rays through clouds shoot forth. 
 Swift came the dreams of future's bliss, 
 Wheie nothing fades from thrill of kiss 
 
 Nor frost can sting love's worth. 
 
 »•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 
 
 . . • • • • *• » ••••. ' 
 
 • • •• .*•« • .• • »• * , 
 
 .»•* "•« . . •! • .* • • ••• 
 
Astride the winds now falls the snow; 
 'Tis winter time, and bright the glow 
 
 Of warmth around the hearth. 
 Of you I dream the evening long, 
 And gather gems to weave a song 
 
 Of love that knows no dearth. 
 Oh, storm and cold can leave no score 
 On wings of love that skyward soar 
 
 To grander worlds than earth. 
 
 Though seasons come and seasons go, 
 The stars that light the earth below 
 
 Unchanged remain in sky; 
 And since my love is love of star. 
 No wane of time, no winter's bar 
 
 'Twixt you and me can lie. 
 It weaves its loom at eve of day. 
 And still at work when dawn is gray, 
 
 Of strength it grows — and why? 
 
 Oh, words can't tell the reason why; 
 For might of tongue and pen I sigh 
 
 To speak the thoughts of heart. 
 You are the Star of Life to me 
 And hope of hopes you live to be. 
 
 To guide me on, sweetheart. 
 The sea is joined in wondrous blue 
 Where dips the sky, and so from you 
 
 My love can never part. 
 
 Around the stars the ring of moon 
 In golden hue unveils the boon 
 That ardent wooings bring. 
 With fonder dreams my heart aglow 
 
..... .—. ,••, 
 
 •• -•••.• • ••• t». 'V 
 
 • ••••" •••• 
 
 I ••••••.•••• 
 
 • ........■•••a •••■ ■•••••«•*••••••••••••••••••••••**. .•****. .*****• 
 
 • • • • •••• • ••• V • • • • 
 
 Unceasing* burns, till now I know 
 
 'Tis time my boon to spring. 
 Come then, my love, and snug in arms 
 Accept from me the gift of charms — 
 Love's sweet engagement ring*. 
 
 am so Happy 
 
 I am so happy, so happy am I, 
 I want to shout my rapture far and wide. 
 My heart is bursting and my tong-ue is tied — 
 I feel like singing, oh, yet it does seem 
 That my emotions are as stored-up steam. 
 Unwilling to escape with what it's blest 
 For fear its strength be weakened, and my breast 
 Swells like the surging sea and like the sea 
 I'm happier, really, than you'll ever be; 
 Shall I tell you the reason why? 
 
 My love has set the day, that's why. 
 
 And she has promised me her heart, her all. 
 
 Where once I feared there dwelt a doubtful wall 
 
 'Twixt us — so comely is she, and I but one 
 
 Of many who wooed her, and now I've won! 
 
 And she is to be mine — mine for aye. 
 
 To love and by her loved in turn each day. 
 
 Let all the bells their sounding hammers chime, 
 
 For now each morrow nearer brings the time. 
 
 And I'm so happy, so happy am I. 
 
 • • •• 
 
 • ; .. • •••• 
 
 •. •• •• •• •• i* ••'• 
 
 ••.••••••• 
 
 •• •• • . •! • . • • •»• . 
 
 ••••••••••••■••••a* ••••••••••■•••••••••••••••••••••••*.* •a.at* *••..«* 
 
«• .•••.• • ••• !•• ••• 
 
 •• •••• «••• • 
 
 The Old Home 
 
 The old home stands alone in the vale, 
 It's snowbound and so cold, but still dear; 
 The roof cracks with the frost, the winds wail. 
 No smoke curls from the flues to bring cheer. 
 And the voice that I hear in the gloam 
 Is the thump of my heart in sad plea — 
 The loved ones have all gone and the home 
 Is left bare to the world and to me. 
 
 The old life is no more and the flow 
 Of the years does not serve to erase 
 And forget the dead embers and low. 
 When I long the old paths to retrace. 
 But hark! The old love is still here 
 And to crown a new home it has grown, 
 For the call comes to me, soft and clear. 
 From a heart to a heart of its own. 
 
 
 '^W^^'" —- "Il^t-"-- ~?>>^ -'•^ tVia .T -". w i; ; c?<^" 
 
 S^u 
 
 ~^viy>'*'— 
 
 
 
 • • •••••• •.. 
 
 •••••••••• 
 
 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••■ 
 
 
Your Mother ^vas 
 
 my Mother, Jim 
 
 I. 
 
 Two brothers, loved and ever true, 
 The parting- paths of life did view; 
 In court they stood to bid farewell. 
 And one had heard the doleful knell 
 Of freedom's day for years and years, 
 And one who fought against vain tears 
 And knew naug-ht could the law revoke 
 Braced up at last with strength and spoke: 
 
 ''Your mother was my mother, Jim, 
 
 And thoug-h dark thoughts before me swim 
 
 That speak the anguish of my heart, 
 
 When hand grips hand ere you depart. 
 
 My love for you, brother dear, 
 
 Will shine unstained throughout each j^ear 
 
 That for a crime, as old as Mars, 
 
 You must now spend behind the bars. 
 
 ''I know how deep your g'rief is, Jim; 
 You did the crime just for a whim. 
 And never realized till too late 
 That Truth at all time rules your fate. 
 But warmest love can not be torn 
 From bondage which of mother born 
 Abides with us until death calls. 
 And mightier is than prison walls. 
 
"Fear not, but think of mother's name 
 That must bear no eternal shame; 
 She hved for us, to her we owe 
 A stainless life — go brother, go 
 Where sins atoned are freed of w^eight, 
 Like clouds leleasing from their height 
 Dark burdens washed and cleansed with rain 
 Till purer skies reveal their gain. 
 
 ''And back home till you are set free, 
 ril wait for you and few will be 
 The days when righteous ties shall meet 
 In clash with worldly self-conceit. 
 And fail to stand each scornful blow 
 Of social pride and rank; for though 
 Grief fills my heart's cup to the brim, 
 Your mother was my mother, Jim." 
 
 11. 
 
 The other smiled and on his face 
 Like waking dawn the marbled trace 
 Gave way to glow of pink and life; 
 And deep'ning still in turmoiled strife, 
 Dark visions rose and smote his mind 
 Till they, too, died and peace did wind 
 Its downy vines around his heart. 
 And loosed his tongue to thus impart: 
 
 ''As to a man in desert sun 
 
 Who reels and gasps and staggers on. 
 
 There looms to stay his waning pith 
 
 A fertile turf and life therewith, 
 
 Your words, beloved, have touched me so 
 
 And tapped the rocks of crushmg woe, 
 
Through which came gurgling faith and main 
 To quench the thirst and clear the brain. 
 
 'T did not know that love would cling 
 As vines enchained to lattice bring 
 Green garps to clothe the ugly scars, 
 And match their scales with silver stars. 
 I did a wrong which should beget 
 Deep shame — and here you love me yet I 
 How true the hearts in lasting stays 
 Of mother's love that scarce decays! 
 
 'T feel the clutch of handcuffs cold, 
 That through your words no terror hold; 
 To prove my worth I will not fail. 
 But cheerful aye the Holy Grail 
 You offered me will ease the woe, 
 And for you, dear, my love will grow 
 And shine as sunrays in the cell — 
 My tongue fails me, and so farewelL" 
 
 III. 
 
 ''Farewell, and evermore if aught 
 Does try the soul, embrace this thought, 
 Snow-white and pure as love of Him, 
 Your mother was my mother, Jim." 
 
 W 
 
• •• • •••• 
 
 The Sea 
 
 I have not seen thy waste of foam, sea, 
 
 I have not heard thy angry roar 
 When thunders roll and breakers from their spree 
 
 Are lashed to fury on thy shore. 
 But, oh, the thought of thee in times of woe 
 
 Has oft sustained me through the night 
 Of storm, till I in morning's peaceful glow 
 
 Emerged the stronger for my plight. 
 
 I have not seen thy placid surf, sea. 
 
 Thy wheeling gulls and flapping sails. 
 Nor felt sweet zephyrs blow a kiss to me 
 
 Of savored charm when calm prevails. 
 But, oh, the thought of thee spurs me to rest, 
 
 As mortals should from toilsome days, 
 To loll and bask in whate'er we are blest, 
 
 And gather strength for new assays. 
 
 I hear thy music when I am alone 
 
 And thinking, thinking of a heart 
 That's mine no more, for its sad soothing tone 
 
 Seems of my lonely soul a part. 
 I fain would come and live with thee, sea. 
 
 Forever ride thy billows gay, 
 But nay, man's life is brief while thou art free 
 
 To sing and play and toil for aye. 
 
 •«• • • 
 
 ■••(•••••••••••••••••••••(••••I 
 
Lincoln County's O^vn 
 
 All hail to thee, the living' brave, 
 The sons we gave the flag to save, 
 And now returning, heart to heart — 
 Beloved twicefold, of us a part. 
 Hail! Hail! We welcome thee 
 With open arms and joyful glee. 
 Home! Home! From war's surcease 
 Into the dawn of blissful peace — 
 Lincoln County's Own. 
 
 Heads bowed to thee, the sleeping- brave; 
 The priceless laurels on thy grave 
 Are prayers from our hearts of woe, 
 For pride tells us we loved thee so. 
 And thoug-h in vain thy voice we hear. 
 No more to feel thy lips so dear. 
 Through tears we see the silver sheen 
 Of praise for those beneath the green — 
 Lincoln County's Own. 
 
 Shine forth, sun, ere end of day 
 Th}^ gladness bring; each arrowed ray 
 Against the passing storm fling high — 
 Lo! A rainbow in the sky! 
 Awhile it gleams with triumph's light, 
 Then fading with approach of night 
 Gives way to gems of lasting hue. 
 Each star a name in field of blue — 
 Lincoln County's Own. 
 
• • •• • •••• •• ♦« 
 
 • •-..• 
 
 The Barred Arro^w 
 
 On every street the arrows flame, 
 Flushed with the Thirty-second's fame; 
 In scarlet letters they proclaim 
 The goad that drove the foe to shame. 
 
 In divers ways the arrow brings 
 A wider scope than war and kings: 
 The home in town or country rings 
 With welcome, pride, and joyful things. 
 
 The father says, "This arrow long 
 Foretells my son, now manly, strong, 
 In learning clad to scorn the wrong, 
 Will rise to live in prose and song." 
 
 The mother's bosom swells to say, 
 'The arrow shows God's gracious way 
 Of speeding home from far away 
 The boy for whom she prayed each day." 
 
 Her curls dolled up, the sister weens, 
 'This shaft denotes a race for queens." 
 The brother says, ''It simply means 
 Our Yankees spilled the kaiser's beans." 
 
 And modest still, up speaks sweetheart: 
 "This arrow straight is truly art — 
 From round the world, like sunrise dart. 
 It brings my lover, heart to heart." 
 
 •••••••••• 
 
 
The Liberty Loan 
 
 Rally! Rally! Buy a bond! 
 
 Shell the Hun with your mon! 
 
 Back your son with a gun! 
 Cries are heard from o'er the pond: 
 
 ''Clear the way! Clear the way! 
 
 We will stay, fight the fray, 
 If you back us with a bond!" 
 
 Men of action, loyal blood, 
 
 Give your all, howe'er small; 
 They who fall give their ALL! 
 
 What a war and hell, God! 
 Can it be we must see 
 Nations free fall and flee 
 
 From heels that are iron-shod? 
 
 Rally! Rally! Buy a bond! 
 
 Come on in — hear war's din! 
 
 We must win with our kin! 
 Send the word across the pond: 
 
 ''We are there! We are there! 
 
 In our lair proud and fair 
 Hangs the flag of Purchased Bond!" 
 
 v^ 
 
The Parting Smile 
 
 The time has come when we must part, 
 To worlds unknown I go, sweetheart; 
 A spotless name I seek to gain — 
 Till then I'll come to you again. 
 Let not your heart be sad, but grown 
 In love still w^ait for me alone, 
 And while with you I am close by, 
 Give me a smile for which I sigh. 
 
 The voice of manhood calls for me 
 To draw my fortune on life's sea; 
 Your love for me shall be the star 
 To lead me on to goals afar. 
 But ere I leave you, maiden fair. 
 Give me a smile, a smile so rare. 
 For through my toils a parting smile 
 Means deeper love, devoid of guile. 
 
 Let me just for a day lie in meadows green. 
 
 Alone and away from my clan — 
 Dreaming and lolling and drifting with lazy clouds 
 As they trail o'erhead like sails in a sea of blue — 
 
 At peace with God and at peace with man! 
 
••••••••••■•••••••••••••••••a 
 
 •%.•• \y V..':::: •..•;•:% •; 
 
 The World of Silence 
 
 If to the sound of things my ears are closed, 
 And to me music's soulful charm is lost, 
 I shall not like the moaning- breezes be, 
 But thank my stars that I have eyes to see. 
 
 If mother's songs are not for me to hear 
 And lull to sleep each little childish fear, 
 Snug in her arms I shall no dread surmise, 
 But watch the lovelight deepen in her eyes. 
 
 If baby's crooning beckons sweet and low 
 To hearts that stir and with pure richness flow. 
 The tiny clutch of chubby fingers white 
 Upon my own shall give me rare delight. 
 
 If men of note from pulpits sway the crowd. 
 
 And I can grasp no word, however loud, 
 
 I can beseat myself with books to read 
 
 And live with those who have sown wisdom's seed. 
 
 If filled with fluent thoughts I cannot face 
 And bring from grateful throngs their silver praise, 
 I can at least command the trenchant pen, 
 And stir the thousands from my little den. 
 
 Oh, there are things one should be grateful for, 
 E'en though he does his grievous plight deplore; 
 The heart that laughs to scorn all kinds of woe 
 Shall see no parting day or sunset glow. 
 
 • • •••••••••• • • 
 
 •• • • •• 
 

 
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 Ihe Three ^ ise Men 
 
 On snowy camels three wise men afar 
 O'er desert stretches journey long ago, 
 Where to the East in brilliant hue aglow 
 
 They saw with shrewd forethought the guiding star 
 
 That led them on and on, and naught did mar 
 
 The patience of them whose beards white as snow 
 Had grown in faith, till in the manger low 
 
 They found that which they came to seek so far. 
 
 We, too, are as the three wise men of old, 
 
 When o'er life's path an aim we seek to gain. 
 
 The star we follow will from us withhold 
 
 Scarce of the best if to that goal with main 
 
 We pin our faith and in our efforts mold 
 A patience that does not test us in vain. 
 
 
 ... : ..; •• • 
 
Friendship 
 
 The hour was dark and Hfe soemed naught, 
 Misfortune came to me unsought, 
 And friendless I knew not where to go. 
 Till in a home I saw aglow 
 The fires of warmth and kindness true; 
 I knocked for then childlike I knew 
 That such a home was built of cheers 
 To soothe the pain and dry the tears: 
 The walls outside had vines thereon 
 Of love that knows no setting sun. 
 And worn and torn by grief I prayed 
 That here at last a stranger strayed 
 Could find kind hearts at least a gain 
 Where golden dreams had been in vain. 
 
 The door oped; lo, a maiden fair! 
 
 All smiles was she as she stood there — 
 
 Rosecheeked, with lips that knew no shame. 
 
 So sweet and pure as though she came 
 
 Out from the land where lilies bloom 
 
 And weave love through the garden's loom. 
 
 She was the poet's queen of May, 
 
 A girl to crown each tuneful lay. 
 
 And like the stars of summer skies 
 
 In sparkling laughtei* shone her eyes. 
 
 Entranced, I felt the balm of peace 
 
 Enlight my heart the pain to ease. 
 
 And slowly through the dawning gleam 
 
 Once more I saw Sir Launfal's dream. 
 
Ah then, 'twas she who bade me in, 
 
 And warmed my heart with smiies that win, 
 
 And gave me food and drink and rest 
 
 And saw to it that I felt my best 
 
 Ere I left; high above that night 
 
 The stars ne'er seemed so gay and bright 
 
 To eyes that, blurred with thankful tears. 
 
 Saw what they had not seen lor years: 
 
 The rainbow's dip of one's wild dream 
 
 Does not exist along life's stream. 
 
 But glimmers in the heart of friend, 
 
 And brighter grows as days extend, 
 
 And like the Guiding Star of old 
 
 At last reveals love's pot of gold. 
 
 Lost 
 
 Hours ago in my heart it held sway: 
 That rare joy was as keen as each ray 
 Of the sun on green hillsides at dawn, 
 But now — it is gone! It is gone! 
 And I hunt! I hunt! I hunt! 
 Where, oh, where can it be? 
 
 Love once came to my heart and it sang 
 Of deep seas on whose reef the surf rang. 
 Of gay sails by sweet zephyrs blown. 
 But now — it is flown! It is flown! 
 And I hunt! I hunt! I hunt! 
 Where, oh, where can it be? 
 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••t« 
 
 
 The Call of the Hill 
 
 Come one and all, let us away — 
 For us the hills are calling- 
 With welcome sweet, enthralling-; 
 
 Done are the toils of yesterday. 
 So let us from endeavors 
 Hie to the fresh'ning rivers 
 
 And build anew our earthly clay. 
 
 Come one and all, let us away 
 
 From smoke and filth and buildings 
 Out into God's blue g-ilding-s, 
 
 And there aside our burdens lay. 
 Are you to work so fettered 
 That to be newly bettered 
 
 In life to you is strange assay? 
 
 Come one and all, the hills today 
 Are calling, calling cleai'er, 
 And hearts that list are nearer 
 
 To God, for, man, the hilL^ hold sway 
 The sceptre of youth-giving. 
 Of strength and sturdy living. 
 
 That will extend your life's pathway. 
 
 
 
 • •9* ••••••••«! •••••••••••• . 
 
In Northern Wi 
 
 isconsm 
 
 My heart's gone to the hills with a bound 
 When the arbutus sweeten the air, 
 
 And I hear the wild call of the stream. 
 I hunt, and the woodlands resound 
 
 With the flight of the deer from its lair. 
 But I chase till fulfilled is my dream. 
 
 The wild aisles with rare spices enfold 
 
 And release from dark burdens' restraint 
 The heart's freedom wherever I roam. 
 I come, and I go, and behold 
 
 Scenes serene that ne'er artist could paint 
 In the north of Wisconsin, my home. 
 
 Birthday 
 
 Thy birthday, love, and still young and gay, 
 Rosecheeked and in the bloom of May! 
 Thy eyes speak of love entrancing sweet, 
 And thy scarlet lips, I fain would repeat. 
 Ne'er looked so tempting and at their best, . 
 With honey dripping from kisses pressed. 
 love, I would that I had the power 
 To paint thee like a deep-hued fragrant flower. 
 But nay, none to match thy beauty could try, 
 For this day thou art mistress of earth and sky. 
 
 
 '••««•«••••••••••! 
 
 »••*•••••« 
 
Sprin; 
 
 Spring is here, love, gentle spring is here, 
 But in vain thy kindly voice I hear; 
 Spring has come, love, and my quivering tongue 
 Yearns to speak the vows that dormant hung 
 Through forsaken hopes and useless woe, 
 When hearts once gay felt the cold winds blow- 
 Winds of envy, ill winds, stinging sharp. 
 That so chilled and dulled love's vibrant harp. 
 Bare and dark as trees, devoid of life. 
 Aching hearts could find in our long strife 
 Naught of healing solace, for it seems 
 Deathless love somewhere, somehow still gleams. 
 
 Trees are budding, love, and birds are here; 
 From green-crested hills the calling clear 
 Comes of love newborn, of mad'ning streams, 
 And the song they sing with laughter teems. 
 All the world is buoyant, young and gay. 
 And my longing heart is borne away 
 To the scenes of mem'ry's sweet refrain 
 Where in yesteryear we knew no pain. 
 Love, let us forget the heart-pierced thorn, 
 And with spring-like youth our hearts adorn; 
 Come, I wait for thee, dear one, to shine 
 Forth the smile of hope forever mine. 
 
Four Tliin«^s 
 
 If I were to pick the thing I love 
 As foremost in my heart, 
 
 I'd swear to all the stars above 
 That thing is your dear heart. 
 
 If I were to tell my second guess, 
 It's for the hours I spend 
 
 With you to come again and bless 
 The love that knows no end. 
 
 If I were frank with my next say. 
 My tongue would ask but this: 
 
 That you and I be true for aye — 
 The surest road to bliss. 
 
 And lastly, my wish would fain impart 
 What makes my life worth while; 
 
 It sweetens all the dreams of heart — 
 The sunshine of your smile. 
 
 And what is so rare as a day in June? 
 
 Sang the poet of long ago; 
 
 And I would say: 
 
 And what is so sweet as hearts beating in tune 
 
 To the love that binds them so 
 
 On that rare day? 
 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 
 
 V V •••" • •• • • 
 
 Blueberries 
 
 Bent with their weight in clusters bUie, 
 Like morsels from the sky, 
 On downy moss they lie; 
 With marshy loam and heaven's dew, 
 The berries garp their wealth and strew 
 Afar the truth for man to view. 
 Where evergreens link blue with blue, 
 That God with us is nigh. 
 
 The blue above, the blue below, 
 
 And man between is free 
 
 To live as life should be. 
 We are but mortals and must grow 
 In body that by toiling so 
 For food, e'en if by bending low. 
 The soul to sweeter rest will go 
 
 In blue eternity. 
 
 E 
 
 venm' 
 
 When shadows o'er the meadows creep. 
 
 Gathering deep; 
 When violets close their petals blue, 
 
 Star-kissed with dew. 
 And worn I stand on sunset's hill. 
 
 Lonely and still. 
 My thoughts are like ships on the seajp 
 
 Drifting to thee. 
 
 •••••••••••••••■••••••••••••••« •*,* *•»,••* *•» «•* 
 
The Prairie River 
 
 God be with thee, river free, 
 And stay the axman's hand; 
 
 From wanton deeds of selfish greeds 
 Spare thee thy maples grand. 
 
 In gardens fair, of fragrance rare. 
 Thy priceless beauty lies — 
 
 By nature reared, by man endeared 
 Whose love for God ne'er dies. 
 
 Thy trees I love, thy skies above, 
 Thy boulders, weird and gray, 
 
 That blithely lift the foaming swift 
 Where rainbows leap and play. 
 
 Sweet thoughts divine, river mine, 
 Are woven in thy stream: 
 
 That toiling still, o'er rock and hill, 
 Brings fortune to one's dream. 
 
 God be the might by which thy flight 
 E'ermore may court the sea; 
 
 With beauty rife long be thy life — 
 Unceasing, laughing, free. 
 
 v^ 
 
►noAv 
 
 Snow, snow, fall gently, feathery snow. 
 Rest me in sleep with thy winter's blanket and low 
 To earth a promise of watchfulness tenderly blow; 
 My heart's aweary of toilsome strife and woe. 
 
 Long have I labored through summer's day and deep 
 Beneath thy spread let me rest the reward to reap, 
 Till the dawn of wakeful spring through my soul does creep, 
 And I infused with buoyancy rise from my sleep. 
 
 Snow, snow, fall gently, feathery snow, 
 
 My heart's aweary of toilsome strife and woe. 
 
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