Poems

By

James Willis Brown  1840 - 1920

Enroute to an Army Camp

July 20, 1866

I love to sing when I am glad

Song is the echo of my gladness

I love to sing when I am sad

Till song makes sweet my very sadness

Tis pleasant when sweet voices I enjoy

To some sweet rhyme in concert only

And Christ to me is company

Good company when I am sad and lonely!

Beneath a stone in sweet repose

Is laid a mother’s pride

A flower that scarce had waked

to life and beauty ere it died

God in his wisdom has recalled

the precious born, his love had given,

and tho the casket molders there

The gem is sparkling now in heaven!

My Mother, when I learned that thou was dead,

Wast thou conscious of the tears I shed?

Honored thy spirit over thy sorrowing son?

A wretch even then, Life’s journey just begun.

Perhaps thou gavest me though unfelt a kiss?

Perhaps a tear?

If souls can weep in bliss

Ah, that maternal smile It answers, Yes!

Oh thou whose mercy guides my way,

Though now it seems severe

Forbid my unbelief to say

There is no mercy here.

Oh grant me to desire the pain

That comes in kindness done

More than the world’s alluring gain!

I’ll love thee, tho’ the bloom

that is on thy cheeks is gone

as thy beauty away

I have built my love on thy virtues meek

And my love with my life shall only decay.