Poems (Odom)/To My Husband (Long years ago—a happy child)
For works with similar titles, see To My Husband.
TO MY HUSBAND.
Long years ago—a happy child, I penned these simple lines to thee,When thou in boyhood's passion wild Poured out thy heart's first love to me.Tho' we are older, wiser now, Have learned somewhat of worldly lore,We cherish still that early vow, Breathed in the happy days of yore.
Ten years have sped their onward flight— Ten years of mingled joy and woe,But o'er them all has played the light Of that one day, long, long ago.Upon the world's great stage I 've borne, In varied scenes, my humble part;But whether smiles or tears I 've worn, It hovered still about my heart.
In peace—in war—alike it came, To whisper to my soul of thee, While in thy bosom dwelt the same Undying love then breathed to me.The past steals o'er my heart to-night With thrilling, almost magic, power,Each memory picture glowing bright, As in its first enchanting hour.
There lingers yet, far, far away, A scene thou wilt remember well,A soldier in a suit of gray— A flag unfurled—a sad farewell.The years that passed—our meeting then, All glide before my vision now;To-night I seem to breathe again, To thee, the holy bridal vow.
Yet still I love that suit of gray, Though I may see thee wear it never;And still I mourn the fatal day That furled the "starry cross" forever.But what avails it now? 'tis well— The past beyond recall is gone;A nation rose—a nation fell— The universe moves calmly on.
We are at peace, and I to-night Sit dreaming in our happy home,In fancy weaving visions bright That to my heart may never come,In each fresh garland that I twine To bind around our future joy,There glows a jewel—thine and mine— Our brightest gem—our baby boy.
Two years I 've been thy happy wife,— Two years from care and sorrow free,When this one page from childhood's life Recalled our early dreams to me.The love I then dared not express, To-night burns with a passion wild,As kneeling, I pray God to bless My husband—and my darling child.
Vicksburg, January 15, 1867.