Page:Canadian poems of the great war.djvu/54

Helena Coleman Helena Coleman Are there young hearts in France recalling
 * These dream-filled, blue Canadian days,

When gold and scarlet flames are falling
 * From beech and maple set ablaze?

And do their exiled hearts beat faster Roaming in thought their native sod?

Dream they of Canada crowned and golden,
 * Flushed with her Autumn diadem?

In years to come when time is olden,
 * Canada's dream shall be of them-

Shall be of them who gave for others
 * The ardour of their radiant years;—

Your name in Canada's heart, my brothers,
 * Shall be remembered long with tears!

We give you vision back for vision,
 * Forgetting not the price you paid,

O bearers of the world's decision,
 * On whom the nations' debt was laid!

No heart can view these highways glowing
 * With gold transmuted from the clod,

But crowns your glorious manhood, knowing
 * You gave us back our faith in God.

H; not when April wakes the daffodils,
 * And bob-o-links o'er misty meadows ring

Their fluted bells, and orchards fleeced with Spring, Go climbing up to crown the radiant hills; Not when the budding balm-o'-gilead spills Its spices on the air, and lilacs bring The drains mp and eery enchantment fills!