A YEAR AGO.

A year ago

I held the fondest hopes

That ever touched the fondest heart,

Nor dreamed that I should ever part

From all that fancy opes,

A year ago.

A year ago!—

Sweet mem’ry’s golden chime!—

A flower bloomed beneath my sill

And by its soft, enchanting smell

I lost all count of time

A year ago.

A year ago

I slept a bed of peace

Beneath the stars of summer skies

While dreams like dews o’erdropt my eyes

That this should never cease—

A year ago!

A year ago

My morning-glory vine,

Soft whispering with the wings of bees,

Foretold that whisperings like these

Should endlessly be mine—

A year ago!

A year ago

The sun light-kissed the moon,

Glad skies upon the sweet lake hung,

And mingled Life and Love and Song

Rode near their highest noon—

A year ago.

A year ago!—

Then, then each sister vine

Upon a brother sweetly leaned:

Thus we, Dear Heart, ourselves demeaned

When Love had made you mine

A year ago.

A year ago

’Twas Love from sun to sun:

To-day I fold you to my heart

And know that nought but death can part

The love and life begun

A year ago.