Illinois Verse/Once Upon a Time
For works with similar titles, see Once Upon a Time.
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time, dear father of mine,You opened that wonder-book of sphere and lineTo us. So much of that lore is gone, alas!But deeper truths that last you taught your class:—To solve the long hard problems that life bringsAnd striving, reach the plane of higher things.
"Not necessarily,"—Those words drift acrossTime's space to me, and the great the sense of lossHow sweet the memory that brings once moreEach little treasured phrase! Thus on death's shoreWe light from out the past the broken sparsAnd with their sparks we see above the stars.
A gallant soldier in your country's need,The training to obey and yet to leadGave to your mien a fine integrity,A dignity,—a privilege to see.O, blest are we who've known in this world's strifeThe quiet inspiration of your life.