Page:Marching Men - War Verses (1917).pdf/22



ROM my nook beneath the pine I can see the graceful line
 * Of the little brown canoe in the bay;

Bright and windy is the weather, But there's no one to untether
 * And go speeding to the open far away

Where the ragged clouds are flying, And the sunset gold is dying,— Empty, listless, she is lying, Idly rocking, idly rocking
 * In the bay.

How she'd leap to answer him When he took the paddle slim
 * And they'd race as laughing victors to the fray!

They would climb the waves together, Riding buoyant as a feather—
 * Or a bird that slants a wet wing to the spray;

But the echoing laughter dies, Lone and far the seagull cries, And the little playmate lies Idly rocking, idly rocking
 * In the bay.