Somebody's Darling

FOR MEMORIAL DAY

This poem was written for those who lost their lives in the War Between the States. It certainly applies to all of our loyal soldiers. The 1st time I read it I was overcome with sadness, gratefulness, and awe.

May we pause to appreciate the sacrifice made by those who truly gave all.

Somebody's Darling

(Marie Ravenal de la Coste)

Into a ward of the clean white-washed halls

Where the dead slept and the dying lay,

Wounded by bayonets, sabers and balls

Somebody's darling was borne one day.

Somebody's darling so young and brave

Wearing still on is sweet pale face;

Soon to be hid in the dust of the grave

The lingering sight of his boyhood's grace.

Matted and damp are his tresses of gold,

Kissing the snow of that fair young brow;

Pale are the lips of most delicate mold,

Somebody's darling is dying now.

Back from his beautiful purple-veined brow,

Brush off the wandering waves of gold;

Cross his white hands on his broad bosom now,

Somebody's darling is still and cold.

Give him a kiss, but for Somebody's sake,

Murmur a prayer for him, soft and low;

One bright curl from his cluster take,'

They were Somebody's pride, you know;

Somebody's hand hath rested there,

Was it a mother's, soft and white?

Or have the lips of a sister fair,

Been baptized in those waves of light?

God knows best. He has Somebody's love:

Somebody's heart enshrined Him there;

Somebody wafted his name above,

Night and morn, on the wings of prayer.

Somebody wept when he marched away,

Looking so handsome, brave and grand.

Somebody's kiss on his forehead lay;

Somebody clung to his parting hand.

Somebody's watching and waiting for him,

Yearning to hold him again to her heart;

There he lies - with the blue eyes dim,

And the smiling, child-like lips apart.

Tenderly bury the fair, young dead,

Pausing to drop on his grave a tear;

Carve on the wooden slab at his head,

"Somebody's Darling Slumbers Here."

--Mama--