Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/138

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��Isabel Ecclestone Mackay

One of the most outstanding of Canadian women ivriters. Author of Between the Lights, The House of Windows (a novel), Up the Hill and Over (a novel), The Shining Ship, etc. Born in Woodstock, Ontario, November 25th, 1875, daughter of Donald McLeod MacPherson, a native of Scotland, and his wife, Priscilla Ecclestone, of England. Educated in local Public Schools and Collegiate Institute. In her twentieth year, married Mr P. J. Mackay of Woodstock, and for some years has been living in Vancouver, B.C.

THE MOTHER GIVES -

HESE hands whose weakness knew your baby weight,

So heavy yet so dear, and held it fast Now loose the bond which love and service gave

And let you go at last.

See, I unclasp each clinging fingerhold,

Open and wide my empty arms I throw

What tho lips tremble and the heart grow chill, Both lips and heart say Go!

Not for the lust of battle or its pride,

Not for the dream of glory do I give, But that a dark and wicked thing may die,

And Liberty may live!

These lips which found world-sweetness in your kiss, Kiss you once more before an open door;

I love you just enough to say good-bye I could not love you more!

��o

��FROM THE TRENCHES

IH, to be in Canada now that Spring is merry,

Happy apple blossoms gay against the smiling green;

Here the lilac s purple plume and there the pink of cherry,

Hillsides just a drift of bloom with clover in between!

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