PS 3515 .P828 1917 ^opy 1 A Collection of Poems "By Lyde Todd Haskins A Collection of Poems Copyright, ipi/, by Lyde Todd Haskins MAY 1 1 19(7 Coming of the Soldier Boys (1899) All shout welcome ! both the young and old ! Kind Providence returns our boys, the bold. Welcome the brave from others' deals, Their hearts to duty done, our homage yields. No more "hard-tack," nor suspicious beef. No more Eagan turn to give a relief, No more struggle nor encampment strife — For them Kentucky and placid life. The war witli them is o'er and we say Their home is here and they have come to stay. To sweethearts and loved ones they have come And naught was laid from shell nor bomb. * * * * A Memorial Hear of aspiring, fair Miss Dorset, Who a model would appear Outside here embracing ( ) ; At the broad-ribbed she would sneer. "I'll look neat and look petite," So snugly she drew the gear. Later, seldom noticed 'twas she'd smile. To laugh her constant fear. At dining she sat the briefest while For a model she would appear. Just to look neat and look petite More snugly she drew the gear. The roses yellowed on her face. Blue lips showed symptoms drear; French heels were dragged in slowest pace. But a model she chose to appear And would look neat, would look petite — Closer yet she drew the gear. The brilliance dulled far back in her eyes, Her breathing shorter efforts, here. The cause? her answer cjuick denies, For a model she would appear And would look neat and look petite — Together she drew her gear. Then pulseless tiiid'iconc^uei-ed anatomy lay. Were sad her parting words to hear, Thro vanity, vanity that will live alway. Even then a model she would appear — "My last wish to look neat and look petite" — The furled idol with flowers was placed on her bier. A Letter Of the oft said amount You have placed in my account, This "dollar and two" So long past due, I've endeavored to find From vision and mind Some trace of its worth, For gold is now dearth. Futile the attempt. From this task not exempt. Of all I'll explain Nor would longer refrain ; You in courtesy I accost, Your patience do not exhaust. In truth 'tis a need We must nurture, feed. Your loss, not my intent. For a letter I have sent That contained one rec|uest Well meant, void of jest. I repeat it, itemize The bill you would realize — For this poem sent to you. Your indebtedness, "dollar and two." ^ -I^ -r 'T A Miniature Portrait (1903) A true delight for leisure sight This paragon of beauteous grace. Were Paris's voice now heard in choice 'Twould be the fair Virginia's face. None but could tell this former belle, Petite and proud yet thoughtful, too, Virginia fair with jetty hair And eyes bewitching blue. Forsooth, it seems, the poet deems, Obeying nymphs with eyes intent Knelt by a repose and 'fore they arose Left sea shells there the gods had sent. Seems they did heed her ev'ry need Near to perfection of her type Of womanhood ; Decimo good Decreed for e'er the fortunes ripe. The friends essay to haste the day Of her return for duties light. That bring the smiles and cause the whiles Of inspiration, the poet's might. ©CI.A4r)0715 An Immortal Influence This universal power of earth To nation's combats, gives peace a birth ; Has caused the lazy to work a while And gives maiden ladies a peculiar smile; It has profited the shrewd to them an agent deai. Independent practitioners have leaned the accepting ear. It has paused the aroused tongue of prepared malicious course, Assuaged proposing bachelors' most awkward hoarse, Has inspired the conventional to deviate his key. And lifted the social aspirant a definite degree. It has silenced the talkative to thoughts most wise, And restrained the Cjueen's deep-wonted sighs. It has created a youth in the shrunken old, And persuaded the miser to will his gold. Has induced the reticent to speak a long part. And absorbed the indifi'erent with all mind and heart. It has braced the despondent ill to a believing hope And elevated the head of the school boy mope. It has lulled the observing poor to more contented hours. Mother's new appreciations press closer lisping flowers. It has smoothed the stern warrior's l)old, menacing frown, And pleased the king to risk the crown. To young girls it's a magic for thro the scantest bit They are sustained buxom through the exchange of it. The universal Compliment whether prose or rhyme. In quantity and quality occasioned any time. * * * * A Brief Soliloquy of a Pill (1901) Insipid, sweet, or bitter, wdiether. Round, oblong, or flat, or square. Or white, or black, green, pink or brown — And many names I'm called. No laughter e'er my purpose thwarts. For charity is my intent. Ungrateful is the one Who stares at me with great alarm And lips pressed tightly in prompt despair. With peace of diaphragm at stake. Deferred in hands inclined to throw What substitute could one prefer? I'd give of ev'ry good that I possess — If chronic, novice ones make haste — If I could ask, ah, draught with me Tomorrow's praise and the Universe Would accept me as I am. Two They have caught and hold the usual smile, Uf weight, their duties, unknown to simple life ; None but the few are ever worth while, To be "among those present" is ever their strife. She weeps o'er the loss of Teddy's ear and nose And the rude track on her pet dog's grave ; Baby's ill, nurse tends, to amusements she goes, To endure it all she's a soldier brave. Her picture's for the paper in attractive pose, Like a cloud-maid afloat in the stormy sky. With a book in her hand, cultured, she knows. Or dreamily watching the stream gone dry. She bids farewell to dimmed blooms on her hat. Recalling each compliment heard. Ah, she's a mind to remember all that, She can cjuote each emj^hasized word. Then she bends o'er his pale blue mandolin Which attack he trembles like a waving tree. While she plans new gowns, invitations to win And trips to new points "others present" to see. She possesses all things for her very own Nor the least in vogue would she lack. Her latest purchase, her lord's latest moan, i])'^ mother's sympathy his pockets repack. They have caught and hold the usual smile. Their public linguae is for public life, Nothing but show is ever worth while. To keep "among those present" will be their strife. Tis Sprino^ Come out, for ev'rywhere 'tis Spring. The golden poppies thro fields aglow. The ze])hyrs waft the violets sweet. The almond blooms are white as snow All-colored tulips greet. The daft'odils near, pansies bright, The palms wave o'er the ivy green. Exultant larks in joyous flight. The carols from the thrushes seen. There's sunshine ev'rywhere — 'tis Spring. A Fable 'Twas in a flowery, woodland vale Where the divulger of this tale Mid shadowy leaves neath vine-draped mossy boughs, Heard a warbler's soulful song, That held the passer long. Inspired she sang to heaven her sacred vows. A listening wise old owl Wore a momentary scowl, For the warbler would not sing to him of love. He told to her his choice In his all-commanding voice, That she sing to him her sweetest from above. In a nest not far away His mate and owlies gray Were lonesome in a tall and charred oak tree. Their pensive, low "to-who?" Was a strangeness to them new. As near a sanctum bough the owl would be. On a moonlit, starry night The warbler planned her flight. Stilled her song and drew her head beneath he. While he heard their sad "to-who?" The owl more thoughtful grew. Embittered memories for e'er might cling. A bird oi Paradise His heart then did entice. As darkening clouds passed by he drooped his head. He heard their sad "to-who?" Toward their nest "to you! to you!" And for his mate's old dearest song he plead. * * * * Kentucky's Weed Sow them in the plant bed, those tiny brown seed. In the kind of soil to produce the valued weed. Then at the proper season set the plants out. For the consuming objects view the leaves about. Cut the stems before the frost to dry upon the scattold. Then leaf them and tie into hands to be raflled. Suspend it in the barn till it's "in case" from the ram. Strip and then bundle with the rustic's cheered refram. Load it in the wagon, then haul it to the place Where it's to stop in line to be auctioneered apace. It's near a twelve-month care for the tending of this weed, That since Columbus landed it's a universal weed. It's to dye, to sniff, exterminate and fertilize. It's to reduce the debt and bring sweets with baby s prize. From the pipe, rings of peace ; from the plug, her Imgu a lash To be the Trust's fortune in lug, leaf and trash. A Favorite Facetious, winsome, debonair, With voice so richly sweet, And nymphly grace, hers, charming, rare, In lovehness complete. Unselfish and devoid of guile. Nor Juno's fault is hers; All youths enamored wuh her smile. Dislike of none incurs. Nor would she scorn the wooer least. Nor deem it gay nor best To feign regard that love increased, Impassioned ones attest. Her innate kindliness dispels Malicious-languaged mirth. No perfidy e'er hers which tells Her known transcendent worth. Of Miss Helen Gould (1902) Come, muse of this profoundest art Oft called, preside now o'er my pen Nor mayst thou depart 'Till I have sung of Helen, then Thy leave and respite take. Of Helen who hath yet not learned? Some heavenly goddess chose to bring Divinest gifts to her whom none haih spurned. Joy, mine to sing. For heiress too, of wisdom, she. In briefest praise delighted most, Eschews that sordid pride to be A kind redresser hating boast. Hers, a beauty the sculptor craves, A model for his dexterous hand. Hers, a smile that the artist saves Despite the gentle command. 'Tis a happy doom O Flora's care that are for Helen grown. The meadow flower and mountain bloom Now worn where jewels previous shone. Abundant cheer for all, her thought, A sweet contentment finds, and frccjuent sought. Continued homage to her not amiss. Write her name with immortal hand, Helen, noblest heiress of the land. Lullaby Rockaby, lullaby, clouds pass the moon, Are you now restmg, clear baby mine? Rockaby, lullaby, twilignt came soon ; 1 tend you, baby mine. Jessamines white all their fragrance unfold. Wee, precious baby of mine. I'll rock you lightly and gently will hold You in my arms, baby mine. Rockaby, lullaby, sounds low, comes the night, Urowsy blue eyes no longer can ope. Rockaby. lullaby, e'en one kiss might Wake you, sweet baby mine. ( )h, on the morrow a thousand I'll press ( )n your soft brow, baby mine. Nor can you ever so gently caress Me, helpless joy, baby mine. Rockaby, lullaby, lonely, the hour. Slumber, my darling, dear baby mine. Rockal)y, lullaby, mine only flower, Slumber, fair treasure mine. Mother still rocks you and looks o'er the lea. Slumber dear Angel of mine. Jesus kept father safe for you and me. Dream on, then, dear baby mine. (In "lems of Poesy." Copyrighted l'>04.) (Music to "Lullaby" will soon be published by the author.) Music Pause where the wind thro the sacred pines Breathes to the world its own lament ; Where the timid streams thro rippled lines Among rocks purl low their discontent. List to the dove in plaintive call. The lonely coo response might bring. The sound of oars in regular fall F.choed thro channels, the indolent swing. The thunder's break with commanding roar Trembling the sky and fearful earth. The sea's expiate moan to the trancjuil shore. Springtime's harmonies, accordant mirth. Lo. the muffled chimes that toll a hymn Thro reverent tones that lead the soul In the autumn hour to heaven's brim Near the holy shrine of mortality's goal. The Strollers Now, important, the aspect, with confident smiles, For the colors and fits were the latest bought styles. Of that maiden and youth of one spirit the day 'Twas decided to take a stroll out a far way. Nor selected the by-path scenes for their view But did stroll out Broadway then Fifth Avenue ; Nor did tire they of aught in the old Dutch town. But continued the stroll and did feel their renown. Unobserved, the attractions they frequently passed, But indifferent, they, for their thoughts were then cast On their colors and fits of the latest bought styles Which appeared as they wished for the glorious whiles. Ovit the thorofare into the narrow wheel gate Of that Park so extensive, where wonders await. Energetic their walk with emphatic sound For achievement, their project, tho silently bound. The Museum, first, with the curios, art. The display for their pleasure afiforded no part. Then apace, crossed the bridge for the mall neath the elms By the seats for spectators, fatigue overwhelms. The attainment was that a great efifort be made And accordingly strolled on a stern promenade. The minutest observance for each they had won Then departed for greater success had begun. The ambitious delights ne'er before were as keen And forgetful that hours had been flying unseen. They uplifted their heads with more gratified souls. To the Ramble caprice lured them on in their strolls. And their colors and fits of the latest bought styles On the lake might reflect they conceived in their smiles. But the din of the late crowd soon occasioned their return, Condescending, their glances, alarmed in concerned, The contrasted appearance — not eagerly bold In approaching the crowd, they reluctantly strolled. The merry advance they had watched in a fear And more vexed had become when the late crowd drew near; Turned their gazes a-ground, their minds were depressed, Disappointment possessed them as all they had guessed. They were changed so in aspect, devoid of a smile ; Both their colors and fits out of date in each style And were chosen the by-path scenes for their view From the throngs of Broadway and Fifth Avenue-^ Their thoughts of themselves, in their haste, were so drear. Their homes were soon reached for Obscurity's cheer. ******* Superficial are vanities, they but annoy. Ill preferred are the fancies to studied employ. And exhaustless the labors that gain best result — Meritorious products will ne'er be occult. At the Rink How merr}^ the streets Toward the rink. How stinting time tweets At the rink. When the rolHng. strenuous noise Is heard with music's joys By attendant girls and boys At the rink. There's a force of gravitation At the rink ; But more's the determination At the rink. Ah, alas, the greatest mirth For the novice is but dearth Since he left his native hearth For the rink. The champion's faultless hour At the rink, Scatters praises in a shower At the rink. For each chosen straight or curve Flis steady grace will serve From the" intruder's aimless swerve At the rink. There've been hearts with the hands At the rink, United in firm-pledged stands At the rink. No fidelities purloined From the lives that were joined Thro the friendships that were coinea At the rink. The Future of Endish Verse Tlie mass of the reading English have so learned to appre- ciate thought expressed in verse that poetry has become an essential luxury. in the history of English literature, since the early rhym- ists of the fourth century there was never so great a demand for poetry as the present time and this demand is supplied by the contniual introductic/n of unknown poets thro papers, and magazines that are devoting pages to poetry. What is so pleasing and simultaneously impressive as fancy and fact poetically treated? Not infrequently a play, discourse or book is held in remembrance by forceful rhymes. A lawyer stated that he had won a case thro a relevant prosodical ciuotation. The assertion that the rhymes have all been "usetl up" has been made in proof of the non-existence of English verse. Many poets have repeatedly employed the same rhymes, but of the multifarious thoughts that may call the same rhymes into use no estimate could be made. Thought is the substance of verse, rhyme one of the additional charms. As to the merit of poems much mediocre verse finds a pub- lisher, is quoted, perhaps, and forgotten ; while the perma- nently appealing, worthy of perpetuation, maintains a superior and lasting usefulness. In vocal music nothing so accurately accords with a decided tempo as a definite metrical arrangement of words. Prose of no recognized rhythm cannot be successfully substi- tuted for poetry. And will not the nation ever have its national song and the popular ballads? So long as immortal poets are read, and inspiration created ; so long as the heart can be touched thro pathos and cheer ; so long as technical variation is employed ; so long as new words are coined and the foreign words domesticated, All the rhymes For future times can never be "used up" — these insure the future of English verse. IN.