He Will Not Go Unremembered
(For Sir Charles G. D. Roberts)
Into fire, and air,
And finally soft and subtle ash
This clay
In which bright Beauty burned,
Became articulate
And lived a little while.
He will not go unremembered.
Small boys,
Belly-flat on floor
Will pad with him
Down wooded ways
Where creatures of the forest
Are realer than the room
And its four quite solid walls.
Young girls
Will pore with shining eyes
Over verse that sings
Of life… and beauty.
He will not go unremembered
Who served his Muse
With faithful plying pen.
This, his bright spark of lovely immortality
Struck from the cycle of his life and work…
He will not go unremembered!
Bagpipes Skirl in Heaven
Ah … not irreverent this…
For I am very sure
The bagpipes skirl in Heaven!
You see … 'twould not be Heaven … for him …
Without his native music —
Dear to his heart…
Called up at will,
Shrill … and sweet
Defiant as all "get out" …
Remembered past death!
And angels …
Yes, even angels
Must smile to see him marching by
Brave in his kilt …
His head thrown back
His "Plaidie" streaming in the wind.