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Poems (Smith)/Remembrance (Ah, well do I remember,—)

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For works with similar titles, see Remembrance.
4510684Poems — RemembranceMartha A. Smith
REMEMBRANCE.


Ah, well do I remember,—
For how can I forget
One moonlight eve of summer,
When first by chance we met
On the loveliest isle that sparkles
In our own blue native sea,—
'Tis a chain that binds me ever
To loving thoughts of thee.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For how can I forget?
Those moonlight eves of summer
Though past, I may regret:
For we have met and parted,—
Each to go our separate way,—
'Tis a thought that lingers ever,
And the past recalls to-day.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For how can I forget?
Fond memories of my girlhood
Twine round my heartstrings yet:
And still the heart doth oft recall
Fond thoughts of youthful days,
When love's sweet flower was budding
Beneath its springtime rays.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For how can I forget?
Though fled, forgotten never,
Until life's sun doth set:
While fancy often lingers
O'er the happy, blissful past,—
O'er the days when I so merry
Thought joy and love would last.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For I have ne'er forgot:
Those balmy eves of summer
Have left a fragrant spot;
For memory often wanders,—
In fancy again I tread
Those blissful days all over,
And sigh that they have fled.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For how can I forget
Those moonlight eves of summer,
When so often I have set
Within the mellow gloaming
Of the twilight's gentle hour,
With many a dearly loved one,
That I'll see again no more.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For I can ne'er forget:
Those moonlight eves of summer
Fondly linger round me yet;
While oft the sigh I smother
For the sweet remembered past,
And the cherished ones who loved me
With a love too pure to last.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For I can ne'er forget
Those moonlight eves of summer
When many a time I've set
Within some leafy bower,
In my girlhood's happy day,—
With loved ones all around me,
Have whiled the hours away.

Ah, well do I remember,—
For how can I forget
The moonlight eves of summer
Shine just as brightly yet.
And in the far-off heavens
Shines many a gleaming light;
Where in the great Hereafter
Our spirits may unite.

All, well do I remember,—
For I can ne'er forget:
I would be of that number
Who may with angels sit.
Then the future life may brighten
With the dawn of coming light
That shines direct from Heaven
To guide us to the right.