Tom sails away

SYSTEMScenes from my childhood are with me,

I'm in the lot behind our house upon the hill,

A spring day's sun is setting,

mother with Tom in her arms

is coming towards the garden;

the lettuce rows are showing green.

Thinner grows the smoke o'er the town,

stronger comes the breeze from the ridge,

'Tis after six, the whistles have blown,

the milk train's gone down the valley

Daddy is coming up the hill from the mill,

We run down the lane to meet him

But today! In freedom's cause Tom sailed away

for over there, over there!

SYSTEMScenes from my childhood

are floating before my eyes.