Two names I had inscribed upon this page,
Dear to my youth—and to my manhood dear—
But those who bore them dwell no longer here;
They through the gate of venerable age
Have passed to heaven in heavenly pilgrimage.
My smile shall dwell upon their sepulchre
In grateful musings,—while I breathe the prayer
That you, when called to life’s soul-trying stage,
May find such guides as ’twas my bliss to find.
To leave a memory of light behind,
As they have left, is life’s best legacy—
That legacy be yours—and when my race
Is ended, at the general resting-place,
As I of them—my children! think of me.
1841
(John Bowring)
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Based on Topics: Light Poems, Heaven Poems, Smiling Poems, Prayers Poems, Age Poems, Children Poems, Memory PoemsBased on Keywords: youth-, dear-, yours-