Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/54
Helena Coleman
Helena Coleman
Are there young hearts in France recalling
These dream-filled, blue Canadian days,
When gold and scarlet flames are falling
From beech and maple set ablaze?
And do their exiled hearts beat faster
Roaming in thought their native sod?
Dream they of Canada crowned and golden,
Flushed with her Autumn diadem?
In years to come when time is olden,
Canada’s dream shall be of them—
Shall be of them who gave for others
The ardour of their radiant years;—
Your name in Canada’s heart, my brothers,
Shall be remembered long with tears!
We give you vision back for vision,
Forgetting not the price you paid,
O bearers of the world’s decision,
On whom the nations’ debt was laid!
No heart can view these highways glowing
With gold transmuted from the clod,
But crowns your glorious manhood, knowing
You gave us back our faith in God.
OH, NOT WHEN APRIL WAKES THE DAFFODILS
OH; not when April wakes the daffodils,
And bob-o-links o’er misty meadows ring
Their fluted bells, and orchards fleeced with Spring,
Go climbing up to crown the radiant hills;
Not when the budding balm-o’-gilead spills
Its spices on the air, and lilacs bring
The drains mp and eery enchantment fills!
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