Come Home

Come Home

Would I could send my spirit o'er the deep!

Would I could wing it like a bird to thee,

To commune with thy thoughts, to fill thy sleep

With these unwearying words of melody -

Come to the hearts that love thee, to the eyes

That beam in brightness but to gladden thine;

Come where fond thoughts like holiest incense rise,

Where cherish'd memory rears her altar shrine:

Come to the hearthstone of thy earlier days;

Come to the ark, like the o'er-weared dove;

Come with the sunlight of thy heart's warm rays;

Come to the fireside circle of thy love -

It is not home without thee; the lone seat

Is still unclaim'd where thou were wont to be;

In every echo of returning feet,

In vain we list for what should herald thee -

We've nursed for thee the sunny buds of spring,

Watched every germ a full blown flowret rear;

Saw o'er the gloom the chilly Winter bring

Its icy garlands, and thou art not here -

Would I could send my spirit o'er the deep!

Would I could wing it like a bird to thee,

To commune with thy thoughts, to fill thy sleep,

With these unwearying words of melody -

By a Sister to a long absent Brother

3:27, p. 4

1839.09.14