"HOME."

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1911, Page 3

"HOME."

Don't go to the theatre, lecture, or ball, But stay in your room to-night ; Deny yourself to the friends that call. And a good, long letter write. Write to the sad old folks at home, Who sit when the day is done, With folded hands and downcast eyes, And think of the "absent one." Don't selfishly scribble, "Excuse my haste, "I've scarcely time to write," Lest their brooding thoughts go wandering back, To many a byegone night. When they lost their needed sleep and rest, And every breath was a prayer, That God would leave their delicate babe To their tender love and care. Don't let them feel you've no more need Of their love and counsel wise; For the heart grows strangely sensitive When age has dimmed the eyes. It might be well to let them believe You never forget them quite— That you deemed it a pleasure when far away Long letters home to write. Don't think that the young and giddy friends, Who make your pastime gay, Have half the anxious thoughts for you That the old folks have to-day. The duty of writing do not put off, Let sleep or pleasure wait, Lest the letter for which they looked and longed Be a day or an hour too lat«. For the sad old folks at home, With locks fast turning white, Are longing to hear from the absent one, . Write them a letter to-night ! Selected.