Poem for Today

Memories

Hidden in the forest

Where the trees grow thick and strong,

There's a cottage, small and humble,

Where I lived when I was young.

There's a yellow roof of thatch,

And a rough red chimney there,

With diamond latticed windows

Letting in the cool fresh air.

When work was finished for the day

In peace I hurried home;

Through the trees, so thick and handsome,

Where as a child I'd roam.

A smiling face would greet me;

Hot dinner on the grate:

But this day, all was lonely,

'Twas so early, yet so late.

No smoke came from the chimney,

No whispers filled the air:

But the memories still haunt me

Of my mother smiling there.

Now many years have crept along;

I sadly realise

That never shall I see again

The love-light in her eyes.

Till I walk down the cobbled path,

And lift that rusty latch;

Till memory brings back again

My home with the yellow thatch.

© 1967  : Colin Gordon-Farleigh