Poems (Douglas)/Home Longings

by Sarah Parker Douglas

Home Longings.

Isle of Erin, I am longing
 Once again to tread thy shore;
Yearnings to this breast are thronging
 To behold thy vales once more.
Ever and anon like shadows,
 Do those wishes haunt my heart,
Which would 'mid the sunlit meadows,
 Of my own old home depart.

Oh! again to tread thy mountains
 Where the breeze sweeps fresh and free,
Graze upon thy sparkling fountains,
 Dashing on in mirth and glee.
Have a ramble through the wild woods
 'Where is seen no tiller's track;
And perchance, a gush of childhood's
 Deep ecstatic raptures back.

Young dear friends from whom I parted,
 Tearfully in life's young morn;
Are ye still the joyous-hearted
 In the Isle where ye were born?
Ever in this fond heart's dreaming,
 Though since then long years have passed,
I can see your young brows beaming
 Glad, as I beheld them last.

Ah'! how many recollections
 Of each happy, long ago;
Early friends, and young affections,
 To this bosom ever flow.
Yes, fond memories come thronging,
 "Isle of beauty," fraught with thee,
And my heart is ever longing
 There, to wake the wild harp's glee.

Where the golden sun is shining
 Brightly on each verdant scene,
Flowers in iris myriads twining,
 O'er thy turf's luxuriant green.
All might be around me throwing
 What old home scenes can impart,
When they wear the glad and glowing
 Light of the return'd one's heart.