After a long separation
Oh! with this treasured, sacred name Excursive fancy roams Afar, one look of love to gain, To catch one gentle tone, From lips that cradled love hath prest, Ere parting had beguiled The joy a Mother's fond caress Bestows upon her child.
And mid the light of newborn ties, One ray of sweeter birth Beams from those hallowed sympathies, Which blessed the household hearth; And gave the flapping wing of time, Fresh charms to hourly bear Into the past's oblivion, Joys ever fleet, as fair.
Though I am blest– and kindest tones Are ever answering mine– Yet, Mother, when I am alone I cannot list to thine! I cannot hear those counsels given, Thy last so reconciled, I cannot see thee kneel to Heaven, For blessings on thy child!
No!— but my homeward fancies trace, All that I fain would see, Nor dream not e'en a sister's face Hath robbed the thought of me; Forget the vacant chair, the sport Of childhood's heartfelt glee! No!– nor the smile I loved to court In sanction sweet from thee.
And when at twilight's As Written: twilights pensive hour The vesper hymn is Sung, The "big Na' bible" near my sire, And praise on every tongue— Comes there an echo of the past, Which memories repeat? Is there a bending form not lost Around the mercy seat?
That farewell kiss and ling'ring look, Dear Mother, were not given To loose the spell which binds this heart, But registered in Heaven! And wrought on earth the power to chain, My wandering soul to thee, That wheresoe'er these footsteps roam Thou art the same to me.
How every lightly spoken word Repentantly returns; How oft I pine to see thy face, Is left thee not to learn: 'Twould take no cloud As Written: clould from off thy heart, If absence gives thee pain! But let the present, hope impart, The hope– we meet again.
Dear Geo, choose between them all