SELECT POETRY. SOMEBODY'S DARLING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 145, 17 November 1870, Page 7

SELECT POETRY. SOMEBODY'S DARLING.

Into a w^rd of the whitewashed walls, ■ WhMe the dead and the dying lay— Wounrt by bayonet, shells, ami balls— Somebody's darling was borne on* day. Somebody* darling ! so young and so brave, Wearing still on his pale sweet face — Soon to be hid by the dust of the graye — The lingering light of hit boyhood's grace. Matted and damp are the curls of gold Kissing the snow of that Fair young brow Pale are the lips of delicate mould — Somebody's darling is dying now ! Back from the beautiful blue-veined face Brush every wandering silken thread : Cross his hands as a sign of grace — Somebody's darling is stiil and dead ! Kiss him once for Somebody's sake, Murmur a prayer soft and low : One bright curl from the cluster take — They weie Somebody's pride, you know. Somebody's hand hath rested there : Was it a mother's, soft aud white? And have the lips of a sister fair Been baptised in those waves of light ? God knows best ! He was Somebody's love, Somebody's heart enshrines him tnere ; Somebody wafted his name above Night and morn on the wings of prayer. Somebody wept when he marched away, Looking so handsome, brave, and grand ! Somebody's clung to his parting hand. Somebody's watching and waiting for him ; Yearning to hold him again to her heart. There he lies— with the blue eyes dim : And smiling, childlike lips apart. Tenderly bury the fair young dead, Pausing *o drop on his grave a tear ; Carve on the wooden slab at his head — "Somebody's darling lies buried here." Marie Lacoste.