GOING AWAY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 119, 13 February 1926, Page 22

GOING AWAY

On the short night before the day On which I had to go away, For sorrow that I had to go I could not sleep at all, and'so I rose to view again the scene Where happy I had been. Sadly, it seemed, on every leaf And every stone (as though iny grief Had, with the moonlight, touched all these!') The moonlight lay. The friendly trees Stood all so still, it seemed my woe At going they must know. And then the birds began to sing. O -never so enrapturing They sang before unto my cars. They sang the dubious case of tears Into my eyes, the while I named Them o\r—and morning rosier flamed Through the wan cast —the ones I knew Bv name. But named and nameless drew A mesh of poignant singing round The house where joy I’d found. Sandpipers on the silver beach Were piping gaily each to each Beyond a mesh of robins’ notes— Our robins of the orange throats. And first a mocking-bird must mow, Then trill a- trill. Song-sparrows, too. And little finches broke my heart Because I must depart. I hear them singing yet. Not till I die shall I forget How birds brought in that tragic day On which I went away. —Frederick Niven.