''""'(I ii|^iii«iiiini POEMS or T Bes^ AND PO^ER iWILUAM LEB PqPMM mass \)3r' Book y^ d/ faiMightN" /'9/0 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. Autlior, Evangelist, Poet and Lecturer WILLIAM LEE POPHAM Louisville, Kentucky Born 1885 on a farm In Kentucky, William Lee Popham has risen from a i^low-boy to public life— and to-day, by tlie strokes of his p^n and the delivery of his lectures commands the attention of anxious thousands. He spends his time in giving expression to l)eautif ul sentiments and helpful thoughts to calm the waves in life's great sea. ®6 Poems of Truth, Love and Power Father may love and toil and care But it's a father's love alone; Indeed not like the gentle queen Upon her olden throne. With suffering, pain and sleepless nights Mother stays upon the throne — Where every cry is heard And every painful moan. Who hears the baby's cooing voice And prays for them that roam? Who hears sweet childhood's laugh? 'Tis mother, the queen of home. WHERE EARTH AND HEAVEN MEET. Heaven stoops to kiss the earth At the lover's feet; And in the dell of Love Earth and heaven meet. The skies descend to greet the place Where love makes living sweet; And the birds are glad Where earth and heaven meet. Stars smile upon the dell When lovers fair, repeat — Lover's olden story Where earth and heaven meet. Greater than the hero Who captures foe and fleet — Is the pleading lover Where earth and heaven meet. Flowers bloom for lovers That "he" or "she" may greet — The other with a rose Where earth and heaven meet. Poems of Truth, Love and Power 67 Clouds turn to rainbows Above the city street— Or in the^ dell of Nature Where earth and heaven meet. When love is true and skies are blue And the queen of home is neat — Angels hover close around Where earth and heaven meet. When love unites two hearts And waves of strife retreat- In a happy home There earth and heaven meet. Where mutual love abides Tho' storms of trouble beat, — No matter where the place — Earth and heaven meet. A POET'S THOUGHTS OF LOVE. I wandered by the river And saw the waves that swam — Across the sleepy pool In pairs, above the dam. I sat beneath the willows Within the blooming lot— And watched the water lilies And blue forget-me-not. I saw the little fishes Each other fondly kiss— And as they're only fishes I thought it not amiss. I saw the gentle wavelets O'er each other swell — And wondered if the fishes In love, there did dwell. 68 Poems of Truth, Love and Power Do not all the fishes And every mated dove — Claim each other sweethearts In the realm of love? God gave to this planet The birds, our lives to bless — And oftentimes methinks I see the birds caress. Sometimes methinks each kind Of every living breed — Knows the law of love Supremest of their creed. O, sweetest law of love! Thou art a silver wire — That binds our hearts together Amid love's burning fire. God made the stars of heaven To twinkle in the night — And the golden sunbeams. To fill the day with light. But grander than the greatest And fairer than the fair — He made a blooming Eden And put two lovers there. He gave them fruit and flowers. The mocking bird and dove; But sweeter than the sweetest He gave them human love. And since that time immortal — Love has ever been — Among the lads and maidens Of every human kin. I do not know the reason, Nor can I tell you why — But love's the fairest blossom That grows in heaven's sky. Poems of Truth, Loze and Power 69 LIFE. A pinch of poverty And a peck of trouble, A lea of weeds And a field of stubble, A pillow for rest And a place to sleep, A cause to sigh And a place to weep; And this is life. A ray of hope And a silver lining, A cloud of black And then repining, A gulley to cross With hope to step it, A desire to marry And yet can't help it; And this is life. A dollar to get And a score to snatch it. An itching heart And naught can scratch it, A lesson to learn Of defeat behind us, Advice from friends To "just remind us"; And this is life. A "scheming plan" And the cheating habit, A hook of bait And a sucker to grab it, A quart of luck And then you spill it. An empty purse And air to fill it; And this is life. With a head of sense And few can use it, A winning plan And men refuse it, Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver Cream and candy And girls to eat 'em, Plenty of friends With little to "treat 'em"; And this is life. A path to trod And feet to "beat it," A bill to pay And a sigh to meet it, A good old time And a world of laughter, A heaven to gain Or hell hereafter; And this is life. A world of envy And a race of style, A bit of joy And a fleeting smile, A law to reap The harvest sown, A God to hear The sinner's groan; And this is life. A kiss to cheer And then a blow, A pint of hope And a pound of woe, A word of greeting And then farewell, A song to sing And a love to tell; And this is life. A word of scorn And then commended, Treatment ill And then befriended. Life's a game That all must lose — But heaven's left For us to choose; And this is life. Poems of Truth, Love and Power 71 LOVE'S PRAYER. « 'Twas evening, and two lovers Were parted far away; But their thoughts would meet At the close of day. He thought of her at evening, She thought of him the same; In their nightly prayer Each called the other's name. I When the day is ended And one is all alone — Love will climb the mountain Without a step or tone; And in the dell of Solitude Beyond the distant plain — Hearts will meet and greet In the lover's lane. Love is a flower That earth and heaven cherish — Shedding sweetest fragrance That distance cannot perish. And love is the flower Of which we never tire; For its holy mission Is ever to inspire. FAMILY HISTORY. "Can't" and "Won't" are brothers, dear. And never win the purse — While Grandma "Grunt" is quite unwell. And always needs a nurse. Daddy "Wait" is the son of "Late" And always trusts to "Luck;" "Can" is the child of "Energy" And "Will" the son of "Pluck." "Can" is also the cousin Of good old Mr. "Try," And they kick the stuffin' out of "Can't" And black his lazy eye. J2 Poems of Truth, Love and Power "Can't" is old man "Lazy's" son And both are strangers to "Work;" But each is well acquainted With Uncle Johnnie "Shirk." "Never Try" and "Can't" are twins, And "Defeat" is their mother; "To-morrow" is their father, "Tired" is their brother. In choosing your companions, dear, Take "Try" and "Will" and "Can" — For "Can't" and "Wait" and "Won't" Never made a man. TO MY VALENTINE. Ere the happy snow-birds Cease their winter play — We celebrate the sacred St. Valentine's Day; A day when lad and lassie Send each other greeting — Ere the winter day In twilight's dim is fleeting. The book of time is filling; Another leaf doth turn; Still we love and dream; Still we live and learn. And if I could not love I'd rather be a swine; But my life is happy With thee, sweet valentine. The tree that stands the pruning That it may bear the fruit — Was started in the ground A sprig, a tiny root. Likewise the tender love That fills this heart of mine — Has blossomed from a bud For thee, sweet valentine. 'Poems of Truth, Love and Power 73 The winter snow is drifting With flowers there among; And many pretty songs Are somewhere unsung. But the sparks of love That warm this heart of mine — Will bring the song and flowers To thee, sweet valentine. The singing birds have flown But their songs remain; And the music sweet Is never on the wane ; But only grows the sweeter In loving notes divine; For still thou art true Mine own sweet valentine. Winter's snowy arms Have wrapped the trees in white; And buds are sleeping there And dream of sunbeams bright. And while the winter wind Is singing thru the pine — My heart is singing, too, Of thee, sweet valentine. The bees that seek the flowers And of their honey thrive — Are waiting for the bloom And dreaming in the hive. The vines that leafless lie Will soon again entwine; And birds will sing therein For us, sweet valentine. In winter or in summer. In autumn or in spring, My life is ever happy; My heart will ever sing — Long as there is love In that heart of thine; Long as thou art happy Mine own sweet valetine. 74 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver Life would be a nothing If there were no love ; And there would be no heaven To greet the soul above. Earth will ever blossom; The sun will ever shine; Long as thou art true Mine own sweet valentine. HERE'S TO THE BILLS! Dedicated to the Whole Bill Family. Here's to old Buffalo Bill ! From the rugged, wooded hill. Here's to Bill whose name is Taft — And Bill Nye who made us laugh. Here's to the one who was bent ! To run three times for president. Here's to a thousand other bills! Adding to our joys or ills. Here's to the doctor bills! For sugar-coated pills. Here's to the green-back bills! That give us spending thrills. Here's to the drug store bills! That sell us tonic for the chills. Here's to bills of every nature — And those passed by the legislature. Here's to the bills for board and lodging— And those that keep our debtors dodging. Now just be still For here's a bill Clean and crisp and new — And the one that's overdue. HERE'S TO THE ONE. Here's to the noble-hearted Who's ever ready to give — To the worthy needy While yet they're spared to live. Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 75 Here's to the one whose hand Is ready to clasp your own — And make you realize You're not in trial alone. Here's to the one whose clasp Is like a grip of st^el — When you need a friend To make you better feel. Here's to the one whose smile Puts the clouds to rout — And brings cheer and hope To the "down and out." Here's to the man Whose "on the square" — Whose every act Is kind and fair. A MOTHER'S LOVE. There was an angel-poet Whom the angels sent to earth- To find a double trio Of the greatest things of worth. And the angel started From heaven's land of light — And over sea and planet He winged a rapid flight. He sailed o'er dale and mountain And sea and lake and dell — To find the sweetest things of earth Their beauty to the angels tell. And first to catch his notice Was a flower garden-spot — Where lily, rose and violet Composed a blooming lot. "^6 Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver And gently he descended Optimistic in his luck — And walked amid the flowers The choice of each to pluck. "Oh! this will please the angels: A freshly blooming bower — For what is there of earth Superior to a flower?" And while he held the flowers Close to his breast — He saw a mother robin Hovering o'er her nest: And her mate was singing A carol from the tree — "And oh!" said the angel, "That's good enough for me." And while the mated songsters Guarded well the nest — He looked and saw the sunset Illume the golden West. And next he saw the rainbow Emblazoned on the cloud — While his eager praises Were emphasized aloud. And pausing on his journey Before a cottage door — He saw childhood's smile Of baby on the floor. And then he saw the mother's love As he kissed her darling''s head — And knew that it would last Till the mother-heart was dead. And with this double trio He start on his flight — To show them to the angels And soon was out of sight. And when he got to heaven He had to stop and wait — Till St. Peter came To unlock the golden gate. Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver yy And thus, while he waited While his heart was glad — He looked to see what treasures That he actually had. And the flowers had withered. The mated birds had flown; The rainbow had faded And left him quite alone. And the baby's smile By the cottage door — Had gently passed away And could be seen no more. But the mother's love Which naught but death can sever — Was there in all its beauty To live and bloom forever. HEART BEATS OF LOVE. When the slumbering world's asleep In the hush of night — I see thee in my dreams Life an angel's face of light. When the breeze is sighing And moon and starlight wane— Thou art my pretty star Who in my slumbers reign. Ofttimes in my dreams I am a lover-king: And thy soul's my kingdom Beneath an angel's wing. Methinks when I'm lonely I hear the breezes cry ; And when I wake from sleep My soul to thee would fly. O, if dreams had wings To thee my soul would flee; For in nightly slumbers I often think of thee. Often hearts are broken And hopes are crucified ; But let me have thy love And I'll be satisfied. 78 Poems of Truth, Love and Power LOVE'S DECLARATION. I've traveled these United States From the western plain — To the farthest corner Of the billowed main. But the sweeest thing I've seen Of every living wonder — Is my blushing sweetheart ; And may naught our love asunder. Fairer than the sunset At the evening hour — Are thine own dear eyes Of penetrating power. Prettier than the violets Is my queenly maiden, — And sweeter than the roses Dew-kissed and honey-laden. In tours of foreign lands Under strange and misty skies — Ne'er do I expect to find Such a jeweled prize. I go, I bid the love's farewell But leave my heart with thee, — To keep while I'm away Across the swelling sea. And when thou art alone In thy cosy home — May thouest think of me Across the raging foam. For I will think of thee A thousand times or more — Till again we meet On America's shore. Duty calls me onward! To leave my girl behind; But never shall I meet Another one so kind : And never shall I try To find one more true, — For all my fondest hopes Dearest, are placed in you. Poems of Truth, Love and Pozver 79 I THINK I THUNK A LIE. When I was but a little tot I thought I had no joy — Because I could not be a man Before I was a boy. I thought that a child's life was hard As the years were fleeting by — But thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I thought that when I got to be A man as big as dad — That I would kick the stuffin' out Of every stubborn lad. I thought that I could never get Enough of pumpkin pie ; But thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I use to think that Uncle John Was the biggest kind of fool — Because he would not go to bathe And miss a day in school. I thought 'twould be no harm To error on the sly; But thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I thought that life for grown-up folks Possessed the kindest fate, And just to be a grown-up man Was noble, grand and great. I thought quite ill of father's plan "To persevere and try;" But thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I thought that love was a silly thing Among the gifts of worth — And wondered how that one could think It the holiest thing of earth. But since I've gotten bigger I can only say, Oh, my! And thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. So Poems of Truth, Love and Power I used to think that all old maids Were mean as sore-tail cats; And that all the ladies Were quite afraid of rats. But since they wear them in their hair, And are not the least bit shy, I'm thinking not as once I thunk. For I think I thunk a lie. I used to think that every one Who claimed to be your friend In need would be a friend indeed With pocket change to lend; But now I am frank to say With a little frowning sigh, That thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I used to think that I'd be rich If I had a cart and pony; And that all were happy Who join in matrimony; And that every marriage Pleased the God on high; But thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I used to think the doctor Cured all human ills — With his learned wisdom And sugar-cooted pills; And that all the preachers Were angels and ought to fly ; But thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I used to think that women Could keep a secret well — And that all the angels Couldn't make 'em tell. But bless their little tongues That almost lick the sky — For thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. Poems of Truth, Love and Power 8i I use to think that human life Knew but little care — And that the rich were happy In peace beyond compare; But in my observation With a watchful eye, And thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I used to think that sister's beau Was foolish to stay so late — For 'twas often ten o'clock When he would slam the gate. I use to think it folly too, To want no others nigh — But thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie, I use to ask my mamma, dear. If papa stole a kiss — When they were young and courting And all she said was this : "No, sir ! is my frank reply" — But thinking not as once I thunk I think she nearly told a lie. I use to think that all the girls Meant just what they said — And that their hearts were flesh Instead a chunk of lead. But be slow to believe the tale In walking thru the rye — For thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie. I use to think a shapely form And a pretty face — Were a girl's greatest needs To give her winning grace; But as life is more To merely live and die — Thinking not as once I thunk, I think I thunk a lie.