'•^ "w^ ^V / <..^' -^^ V.0^ 5^^- • " » *^ V » ' • • rf5^TV^'^ O "' o. THE GARDEN PATH 1^ w s s o < Q p. i^s 1^^ m^s. The Garden Path i and Other Verses By JULIA COLTON WILLARD Boonville, N.Y. GARRY A. WILLARD nOiS Willatb f rpaa 1920 ,^^. . '?'^^^ J^^ copyright Julia Colton Willard 1920 ■^. m -5!9; g)CI.A605283 TO MY GRANDCHILDREN AUDREY, JANICE AND MURIEL MUSSER CONTENTS The Garden Path Page II Voices of the Night 12 Spirit of Day . 13 Longing .... H With Cupid on Parade 15 Whispers of Love 16 Thanksgiving Day 17 The Bird Man's Frolic 18 Treasures 19 Just a, Little Loving 20 Waiting .... 21 The Isles of Yesterday 22 At the Movies 23 The Busy Muse 24 To-morrow 25 My Garden 26 In the Hush of the Eventide 27 The Snow Bird 28 The Fairies 29 The Star's Lullaby . 30 7 - Page Easter .... 31 The Planet's Jubilee 32 Turn the Old Clock Back 33 Cupid's in the Garden 34 My Boat 35 The Garden Party . 36 The Drought 37 My Dream Loi'e by the Sea 38 The Moonbeam and the Star 39 Candlemas Day 40 The Visit of the Fairy 41 As We Are Marching On 42 Song of the Robin . 43 My Gifts to Thee . 44 Lullaby .... 45 My Maltese Bride . 46 'The River of Auld Lang Syne 47 A Merry Christmas 48 Good Night 49 THE GARDEN PATH THE GARDEN PATH There are blossoms sweet in my garden, But none are as sweet as you, As you skip and dance down the well-worn path, With your eyes of brown and blue. You are fairer, far, than the lilies, Your cheeks put the rose to shame. Oh, this was a dark, dreary garden, Until down the path you came! And still at the gate, I'll be waiting. While the blossoms stately grow. Oh, may I not miss, the hug and the kiss. When my brow is crowned with snow. 11 VOICES OF THE NIGHT The fair moon keeps guard And the hour it is late, As I'm listening to-night At the old garden gate, To the voices of Long Ago. • There's a glad child at play, And there's joy and a tear, And a dear mother's voice That is calming each fear, Down the path of the Long Ago. Then a fond lover calls And his voice, it is gay With a promise of love That can ne'er fade away, Down the love lane of Long Ago. And now 'neath the lilies 'Mid the tulips so red, A voice whispers low Oe'r a wee baby's bed In the love nest of Long Ago. Oh, the voices I hear As they're leaving the nest, And they're fading away Toward the East and the West, — To new loves and homes they will go. Hark, now they are nearer, And the children call too ! There's a voice by my side And I know that 'tis you. My sweetheart of Long Ago! 12 SPIRIT OF DAY The Spirit of Day comes o'er the hill And cries to the world "Awake, Oh buds and blossoms, raise your heads, And birds, your nests forsake!" You paint the tree tops with rose and gold, You reign o'er land and sea ; Oh, Spirit of Day, you've come again, What have you brought to me? 13 LONGING Oh, I'm longing to-night for you, mother, As the candle is burning low, And I yearn for the days that are gone, dear heart. And the joys of the long ago. Oh, I'm dreaming to-night of you, mother. And yon twinkling, silvery star Seems to whisper to me, a message sweet. From the Heaven where I know you are. Oh, I'm longing to-night for you, mother, While you're watching, still tender and true ! Oh, guide me as onward with stumbling feet, I stray toward Life's sunset and you ! 14 WITH CUPID ON PARADE I shouted when I saw the boys from overseas come home, I marveled at the camel trains which oft through Egypt roam ; Processions of all kinds and sorts, I've walked long miles to see. But the one which now's advancing is the grand- est one to me; For here comes beaming Betty, with her tea-cart 'neath the trees, With cheeks just like the roses, and her curls blown by the breeze ; With tinkling tea and fruited punch, and spark- ling lemonade. Comes Betty, darling Betty, with her tea-cart on parade. Look ! Perched among the fancy cakes upon the lower shelf Is sly and artful Cupid — a much-curled, gauze- winged elf ; They say he has a wicked bow with sharp and poisoned dart. His aim is sure, he's apt to break the china or a heart ; 'Tis never safe to disobey when Cupid takes command. So when he beckons me to come and lend a helping hand. With joy I do his bidding, and I'm not a bit afraid To join my darling Betty in a life-long love parade. 15 WHISPERS OF LOVE Come my love, where the starlight gleams, Come out, dear, where the soft moon beams ; Come where the tide flows. Come where my heart knows Only its love for thee. Come my love, where the wild flowers rare Garlands weave for your golden hair ; Come where the birds sing. Come where the glad Spring Whispers of love to thee. 16 THANKSGIVING DAY The flowers are gone from the garden fair, Which is kissed by the falHng snow, But there's joy and warmth in the house on the hill, Where the firelight's fitful glow Sheds its cheery beams o'er the heads of white And the golden curls of May, Of the loved ones who've come home to spend This glad Thanksgiving day. There's no other joy in the wide, wide world Like this day in the dear old home ; Away from the cares and the toil and strife 'Mid the scenes of our youth to roam ; But the glad delight of the coming back Is mixed with a sob and a tear, As we dream of the birds which will ne'er return To the nest of the yester-year. 17 THE BIRD-MAN'S FROLIC A bird-man bold from the world below Floated high to the moonlit dome, O'er a field of stars where the comets grow When the sun's last beams have flown. As he spread his wings o'er a world of strife His joy he could scarce contain ; As he vowed he would lead a planet's life, He shouted this glad refrain : — "Come Aurora Borealis, will you glide with me Through the maze of the milky way? We will weave of the stars a daisy chain While the clouds with the moonbeams play." He called on Mars and the Great Bear too. From the dipper he dared to drink, And Venus told him all she knew While the rest gave a knowing wink. And the dreamy moon tried to hide a smile. As they skylarked in his train. And the stars they were singing all the while. This strangely sweet refrain: — "Come Aurora Borealis, will you glide with me Through the maze of the milky way? We will weave of the stars a daisy chain While the clouds with the moonbeams play." TREASURES If all of the diamonds that grow on the trees Were bestowed by Jack Frost upon me, They would not compare Though I'd millions to spare, To the wealth of my love, dear, for thee. If all of the kisses which all of the flowers Have received from the golden sun beams Were bestowed upon thee Not so sweet would they be. As the ones I give thee in my dreams. 19 JUST A LITTLE LOVING Just a little loving As I wander on my way, O'er paths both smooth and thorny, In my work and in my play ; How it makes the roughest places Seem so easy, while the smile Of my dear ones, seems to tell me They just love me all the while. Just a faithful heart to love me At the dawning of the day, When the duties all about me Millions seem, in bold array; And more loving still at noon time When the heat and glowing sun Weary, aye, and fretful make me With my tasks yet far from done. Just a little loving, How it cheers the twilight hours. Though my head be bowed with sorrow How it strews the way with flowers, And when midnight with her curtain Shuts the cruel world from sight, E'en though dreams come not to cheer me, You'll still love me through the night. Just a heart so full of loving. Why not give it yet to-day. Late perhaps 'twill be to-morrow. Shall I need it, who can say? Earth will seem a fairest heaven. Free from sorrow, strife and care, If we do a lot of loving Everytime and everywhere. 20 WAITING There's a little white cottage, all fragrant with vines, By the side of the glad, dancing sea ; There's a maiden so fair, With a rose in her hair. And despite the sea's roar. At the wide-open door, She is waiting for me. There's a little white cottage, all fragrant with flowers. By the side of the joyous old sea ; There's a mother so fair. With a rose in her hair. And hugged close to her breast, A fair head is at rest. As she's waiting for me. 21 THE ISLES OF YESTERDAY They came to me in my dreams last night, The Isles of Yesterday, In a sea of love, 'neath a sky so bright, Where the phantom moonbeams stray. From the shadowy Land of Nevermore Cam.e strains of music low; They floated in from that distant shore From the Port of Long Ago. 'Twas all a dream, a happy dream, Of glad days far away, And as I wake, Life's joys all seem 'Mid the Isles of Yesterdav. 22 AT THE MOVIES When all the day-time tasks are done, and even- ing shadows fall, I love to stroll with Angeline, down to the movie hall. And sometimes when the picture is so hard to understand And truly, pretty scarey, then I have to hold her hand ; Or when great tears roll down her cheeks as something sad she sees Whatever else, please, can I do, but give her hand a squeeze? A loyal, sympathizing friend, I always try to be When at those lonesome movies, Angle sits so close to me. 23 THE BUSY MUSE There were grown-ups to feed, And kiddies to dress, There were friends in to dine, And calls in excess ; There were new clothes to plan. And the car at the door, With church work undone, And a thousand things more. So, I said to the Muse, "I can't write to-day; Now, flee away, flee away." But the Muse wouldn't rest, She seemed quite possessed, And bound to stay. She made herself heard O'er the tumult and din 'Till I cried in despair, "Come in, do come in ;" Then, smiling and gayly, My fair Erato, Came forth with her lyre So tuneful and low. And I said to the Muse, "I will write to-day. So sing away, sing away ;" And her theme was the best, 'Twas of home, love and rest. That we sang that day. 24 TO-MORROW When all the joys of glad to-day have gone be- yond recall, To join the happy yesterdays which hang on memory's wall ; When all earth's cares a phantom host, have faded with the light. And midnight with her sombre veil, hides things to come, from sight; 'Tis then, dear heart, I dream of you, and love which naught can sever. Of that to-morrow, when at last, I'll be with you forever. 25 MY GARDEN Oh, fair is my garden, where pansies shyly hide 'Mid glory of lily and rose ; The blue bells and poppies are blooming side by side And vines nod as soft breezes blow ; — But fairer, sweeter, yes dearer far than these, Is one that I know is true ; O'er her head fall blossoms from the orange trees, That flower of my heart is you. 26 IN THE HUSH OF THE EVENTIDE The toil of the day is over And peacefully from its nest, Among the clouds, the silver moon Is lulling the world to rest. The drowsy blossoms nod their heads, The birds have ceased their song, And all the cares have taken flight, Which to the day belong. Dear, all the world is fairy-land When you are by my side ; 'Tis now, sweetheart, I love you best, In the hush of the eventide. 27 THE SNOW-BIRD The wintry wind 'neath a leaden sky, Like a vengeful foe from the Arctic Zone, While whirling the crystal snow-flakes by Through the chimney howls with threat'ning tone; But what care we for the storm outside, There's a fire on the hearth and the candles glow. While the Storm King reigns claiming wind and tide As his vassals, his merciless wrath to show ! The monarch taps on the window-pane And up in the top of an ice-clad tree A snow-bird is singing this refrain, And his song teaches faith so sweet to me ; — "I'll brave the storm for it won't be long. With no thought of distress or sorrow ; From wind-swept tree tops, I'll sing my song, For the spring-time will come to-morrow." 28 THE FAIRIES There are fairies in our garden, I saw them there last night; The silvery stars were twinkling And the moon was full and bright ; Right down among the lilies, white, I met the Fairy King, — He had his sceptre and his wings, His wand and everything. And then the Queen brought roses And twined them 'round my head, She filled my arms with pansies, "For they're for thought," she said; And then they placed me gently On a moonbeam silvery white. And up among the fleecy clouds, We swiftly took our flight. And once a naughty bird-man Broke our moonbeam right in two. But it put itself together, Just as moonbeams always do ; At last we entered Fairy-land, A place so weird and bright, And now that I'm their Fairy-Child, They'll take me there each night. 29 THE STAR'S LULLABY The flowers are fast asleep, The birdies now are still, And very soon the moon will peep. And then glide o'er the hill ; A star up in the heavens To Baby seems to sing A lullaby so soft and sweet, 'Tis borne on angel's wing; — "Go to sleep my baby, For I'm twinklin' now for you, Just to show you that it's night, And sleep's the thing to do, So now stop your blinkin' For I am a twinklin' A twinklin' for you." 30 EASTER Listen to the Springtime, how it gaily sings, "Christ the Lord is risen !" on the breeze it rings ! "All is joy and gladness on this Easter Day! Gone are care and sadness," so the spring buds say. Hark ! The little brooklet rushing to the sea Carols, "Oh be happy, Jesus died for thee !" And old robin red breast chirps a roundelay, — Listen, he is singing, "Christ is risen to-day!" 31 THE PLANETS' JUBILEE Aurora Bo went on a spree, E'en though the country's dry ; She waltzed and two-stepped East and West, And jazzed across the sky; Then all at once, she seemed to flash Some fireworks overhead ; The moon, a veil pulled o'er her face. And everybody said, When something burst just like a bomb, And seemed to shoot the stars, That 'twas a planet's jubilee. Because they'd wired from Mars. 32 TURN THE OLD CLOCK BACK The flowers now are withered and the birds have flown away ; The cellar's full of good things and the barn is full of hay; The Jack-o'-lantern pumpkins are quite safe within the shed, And the kiddies dream of goblins, when they're tucked all snug in bed. Each vine and shrub and tree-top is with color quite ablaze While nature wields her gayest brush, these frosty autumn days ; The apples ripe and rosy and the ears of yellow corn, Are safely stored for Hallowe'en for youths and maidens lorn ; But witches and weird goblins never show them- selves by day. They're waiting for the nightfall e'er they ghostly visits pay; So now that summer's over, and the harvest garnered in, And garden sass secure from harm, is filling . every bin ; And now that kids and young folks all alert for merry lark Can vanquish best these creatures, when encoun- tered in the dark ; For these and other reasons, since there's nothing that we lack, We'll light our faithful evening lamp and turn the old clock back. 33 CUPID'S IN THE GARDEN Oh, come into my garden, love, and have a cup of tea ; The flowers are nodding as we pass, the breezes dance in glee, A bluebird on a fragrant bush is singing merrily, And this is what he's singing, as he winks his eye at me: — "Oh, Cupid's in the garden, beware, beware! He'll maybe, break that teacup, — take care, take care! Be sure your hand is steady, and you know just what to do. For cups are broken easily, — and hearts break too!" 34 MY BOAT Oh, my boat is frail, and 'tis hard to know When the storms will come, and the tempest blow! My sails are rent by griefs and fears, But I'll let the sunshine dry my tears While I sail away on an unknown sea, To the Isles of Rest where I long to be ; The time may be short, and it may be long, But while I wait, I will sing this song : — "There is life and peace by my Savior's side. E'en though I'm tossed by the winds and tide ; My little barque all the storms will stand If my Pilot will only guide my hand." 35 THE GARDEN PARTY The flowers gave a party And all the insects came, The June bugs and the spiders, The hornets nice and tame ; The ants they kept on working. They never take a rest, The others had a frolic, — Did the things they like the best. The bees were in the orchestra, With rhythmic, hum, hum, hum ; The robins sang the solos. The bull-frog beat the drum ; The tame and humble house fly Took to jazzing with his buzz; The firefly worked his flashlight. Just as anybody does. The butterflies, they joined them too, And gaily danced all night, 'Till warning cock-a-doo-dle-doo Put all their joys to flight; The bees went home with the hornets, The bull-frog gave his arm To the coy and wary robin. And they reached home without harm. 36 THE DROUGHT The hose is laid to rest, — The things which we love best Are drying, simply dying in the sun; The water which we drink, Is surely on the blink, While the faucet hardly condescends to run. But when winter's chilly blast. Drives the sleet and snowflakes fast. And the coal bin's getting lower ev'ry hour, Then we'll sigh for scorching rays. And for melting summer days, And wonder how a drought could make us sour. 37 MY DREAM LOVE BY THE SEA Sometimes when moonbeams softly creep Across the ocean's depths of blue, — Sometimes when all the world's asleep, And I am dreaming, love, of you, — Sometimes as waves caress the shore, A vision rises from the mist, And you are with me as of yore, My dream-love by the starlight kissed. Sometimes, when in my arms I'd fold My angel vision from the sea. And tell again the story old Of joy your love has brought to me, — 'Tis then your fair form fades away. As golden rays far o'er the deep Proclaim the waking of the day, And wild waves call you home to sleep. 38 THE MOONBEAM AND THE STAR The harvest moon o'er vale and hill Is shining full and bright, A little star so shy and still Peeps out into the night ; — And, dancing gay, o'er land and sea A moonbeam fair, she spies, A-calling her, it seems to be, And she with joy replies : — "Come my little moonbeam, Let me float away with you. O'er earth's fairest gardens And the ocean's trackless blue ; The day is a-sleeping. And midnight's a-keeping Its watch o'er you." "We'll gather sweetness from the flowers Like busy honey bees, And through the witching moonlit hours. We'll rob the orange trees ; 'Mid vineyards fair in sunny Spain, We'll drink, then float away ;" So sings the star, and this refrain She chants 'till break of day : — "Come my little moonbeam, Let me float away with you, O'er earth's fairest gardens And the ocean's trackless blue ; The day is a-sleeping. And midnight's a-keeping Its watch o'er you." 39 CANDLEMAS DAY On Candlemas Day, a great big bear With brawny limbs and tangled hair, Will come out from his winter's nest, And sally forth if he thinks best ; But if his shadow he don't see An early spring, there's sure to be ; So say old folks, who ought to know, — They told me, so I know 'tis so ! 40 THE VISIT OF THE FAIRY The pansies gave a ball my dear, And all the flowers were there, The rose, the poppy, mignonette. And slender maiden-hair ; And just when all the blossoms Were happy as could be And the lily in her dainty cuf/ Was pouring out the tea, — Just then, my dear, a fairy came, — They wondered what she'd do, They knew she'd lots of mischief make And spoil their party, too. My child, I'll tell you what she did. She turned the roses green, The lilies black, the daisies blue. The worst you've ever seen; The cakes she changed to toad-stools brown, The tea to purple ink. And then she held them oh, so tight. And gave them this to drink ; — Just then, my mother's cheery voice. Called "Time for breakfast, dear," And then I knew 'twas all a dream, Now wasn't that so queer? 41 AS WE ARE MARCHING ON Oh, we're a mighty army, In this country of the free, And proudly on we're marching, Hand in hand, from sea to sea; On the way ten milHon blessings. Freely fall on you and me, As we are marching on. In the fields of waving poppies Freedom's sons have gone to rest. They have given all to save us And the things that we love best; — 'Tis the day for thought and action. Not a day for foolish jest. As we are marching on. Our boys have gone to glory, And they look down from on high. To see if we remember On this glad Fourth of July, That they died to give us freedom, And so we must do or die, As we are marching on. 42 SONG OF THE ROBIN Oh, winter's past and spring has come, The fields are all aglow With blossoms sweet, while crickets hum As soft spring breezes blow. The birds are singing as they build Their nests in yonder tree, The cold is gone, the storm is stilled. The world is full of glee. Oh happy day, oh happy day. The robins are here again! Oh happy day, oh happy day. They are singing this refrain: "Oh, winter's past and spring is here, And now are flowers, where all was drear, Oh, winter's gone and now 'tis May, Oh joy, the Spring is here !" 43 MY GIFTS TO THEE What shall I bring to thee, dear love, What shall I bring to thee, To prove that not in Heaven above Or earth, there is to me, A place so dear, a home so sweet As thy fond trusting heart? When will you come to me, dear love. To be of my life a part? What shall I bring to thee, dear one What shall I bring to thee? The moon, the stars, the golden sun Would seem to trifling be, Compared with gifts, I'd choose to give My sweetheart, dear, to thee! When will you come to me my love. When will you come to me? 44 LULLABY Little Pickaninny, all the flowers have gone to rest, And the little birds are safely snuggled in the nest; Yo' bright eyes are blinkin' Yo" curly head sinkin' On Mammy's breast. Little Pickaninny, hush, and close yo' tired eyes ; Mammy's arms will hold you, while the night wind softly sighs ; The crickets are hummin' ^ The sand-man is comin' So hush-a-bye. 45 MY MALTESE BRIDE Oh, Malta rests, a fairy isle In ocean's fond embrace ; Sweet flower of a southern sea. Your maids are fair of face ; But, none can with my love compare. My rarest ocean pearl, My Florietta coy and sweet. My Maltese flower girl. Oh, my Florietta, Sweet maid of old Valetta, Your strangely quaint faldetta. Shades a face that's fair to see ; Your bonnet half exposes Your cheeks as red as roses, While your starry glance discloses, Your love, so dear to me. The orange blossoms on your hills, Are not as fair as you. Your eyes so dark, and full of love Prove that you're ever true ; Oh, maid of Malta, won't you stay. Forever by my side? Then proud and happy will I be, When you're my Maltese bride. 46 THE RIVER OF AULD LANG SYNE The River of Auld Lang Syne, my dears, Has been flowing o'er hill and vale ; Through the sad, the dark, the weary years It has carried many a sail ; Sometimes when soft, spring breezes blew. Its boats serene and gay, Floated calm, and happy and peaceful, too. In the Harbor of Yesterday. And again, the wild waves, tempest tossed, The frail barks rent in twain. And it seemed that life and hope were lost, And could never come back again. But now, safe from storms and shoals of the past, At the pier where the sunbeams stray. The weary sails are at rest at last. In the bright, glad Port of To-day. 47 MERRY CHRISTMAS List! In the top of that frost-crowned tree A snow bird sings so happily, "A Merry, Merry Christmas!" And the north wind whispers through the pines And mistletoe and storm-swept vines, "A Merry, Merry Christmas!" The falling snowflakes seem to say, "In a lowly manger, a baby lay, A Merry, Merry Christmas ! And to-day we celebrate His birth, With good will and peace o'er all the earth, A Merry, Merry Christmas!" 48 GOOD NIGHT The day is going to sleep, The birds and the bees are still, The silvery stars and the pale new moon Are peeping o'er the hill ; The flowers are drowsy, too, And they nod in the soft starlight; They whisper, and I am whispering too, "Sweet dreams, good night, good night." 49 1 18 . O > « j^ ^oV" ^,* v^ ^<^