BILLY BOY!

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1230, 7 April 1914, Page 4

BILLY BOY!

You’ve gone away and left your little playmate all alone ! And there’s something here inside me that feels heavy, like a stone ; And though your wooden horse is now my very, very own, Ido not care to ride it, Billy boy ! I forget to feed the rabbits, and I hardly ever touch Those little, hard, green apples that we used to like so much, And often shared between us, though they always gave us such A pain beneath our pinnies, Billy boy! Though your eyes were shut so tight, I thrught ’twas only make-believe, When they held me up to kiss you, so I didn’t hardly grieve— But —I’ve lost my pocket-hanky, and have only got the sleeve Of my frock to wipe my eyes on, Billy boy ! I’ve heard the grown-ups say, and so suppose it must be true, That you’re up there, with the angels, where the sky is bright and blue: But I wish they’d chosen any other little boy but you— For you and me were sweethearts, Billy boy ! —A, D. Harris.