Poems (Kennedy)/That Day of Days
THAT DAY OF DAYS
WHEN you come home! O son of mine, How throb the words deep in my heart!I shake like leaf tossed in the wind And leave the crowd and stand apart To curb the joy-cry on my whitened lips—When you come home!
When you come home! Before mine eyes That picture swims in misty lines,Through half-shut lids and haze of tears The glory of your presence shines, And in my throat is strangle of deep prayersOf gratitude.
When you come home! My knees bend low, I strive God's guiding hand to seeAnd lean hard on His mercy arm— When you come home, oh, may it be As straight and beautiful as you went forth,Like knight of old.
And yet, and yet when you come home, If you are blind or limp with crutch,It will not matter to my heart— I shall but love you over much For your brave sacrifice; my one fierce prayer Is but to hold you in my armsWhen you come home.