| A wild rose by the wayside path
Upheld her head in simple pride; A passing wind, in sudden wrath, Outflung her petals far and wide. And, shuddering, I turned aside: Is some dread Presence, then, so near ? For through the stillness something cried: "Tomorrow you may not be here!" At dawn I heard a wild lark fling His soul out in a single strain, As if his gladness in the Spring His little heart could not restrain. Now, on the grass, a crimson stain___ The song hath cost the singer dear!___ And in my heart the old refrain: "Tomorrow you may not be here !" Forgive me if I cannot speak Of matters trivial and light, For, O, my heart and lips are weak And I am filled with strange affright! Dear, if I read the sign aright, There is some reason for the fear, So fold me, hold me close tonight___ Tomorrow I may not be here. |
The Call of Kansas and Other Poems
Esther M. (Clark) Hill
(Cedar Rapids: Torch Press. __)
Page 10
Visit the Home Page for Kansas