ORIGINAL VERSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1917, Page 6

ORIGINAL VERSE.

MY BOY'S BIRTHDAY In memory of my noble boy I sit me down and write." The world I'd.give, if it were mine, Could I have him here to-night. The day of his birth dawns bright and clear, With blue and cloudless skies, Whilst in a soldier's grave in a foreign land My noble laddie lies. It's just eighteen years ago to-day Since God gave him to me. A tiny dimpled fair-haired mite, My pride and joy to be With, eyes as blue as the skies above, i And tiny dimpled hand, God nave him to me to.love and keep, Till he should be a man. I watched him grow from babyhood To boyhood strong and bold, The darling of his mother's heart When just seventeen years old. I saw him stand in soldier's clothes, . Ills blue eyes turned to grey, Tnto which I gazed as I said "good-bye" To my darling 'boy that, day. I saw him standing by the rail, A smile fin his face so gay, Waving farewell"to those lie loved As the troopship sailed away, I saw him sail out over the sea Tn the great war to take liis part, "God keep and send him back to me" Was the prayer of my anxious heart. And the world seems dark as to-day ] sit With a heart that aches and yearns To be able to-day to kiss him and say—".Many happy and bright returns!" A small wooden cross in a foreign land Marks the spot where he lies to-day. And my heart is sore, 'l can write no more, Tor to-day is my boy's birthday. BntGod thought best to call him home When life had scarce begun, And through my sad tears to-dav I say: "Dear Lord, thy will be done?'* -By A SOLDIER'S MOTHEff. Opunake, Dec. 1, 1917: