THE LAND OF YESTERDAY

AND I would seek the country town

Amid green meadows nestled down

If I could only find the way

Back to the Land of Yesterday!

How I would thrust the miles aside,

Rush up the quiet lane, and then,

Just where her roses laughed in pride,

Find her among the flowers again.

I'd slip in silently and wait

Until she saw me by the gate,

And then... read through a blur of tears

Quick pardon for the selfish years.

This time, this time, I would not wait

For that brief wire that said, Too late!—

If I could only find the way

Into the Land of Yesterday.

I wonder if her roses yet

Lift up their heads and laugh with pride,

And if her phlox and mignonette

Have heart to blossom by their side;

I wonder if the dear old lane

Still chirps with robins after rain,

And if the birds and banded bees

Still rob her early cherry-trees....

I wonder, if I went there now,

How everything would seem, and how —

But no! not now; there is no way

Back to the Land of Yesterday.