Enlisted today

I know the sun shines, and the lilacs are blowing,

And the summer sends kisses by beautiful May —

Oh! to see all the treasures the spring is bestowing,

And think my boy Willie enlisted today.

It seems but a day since at twilight, low humming,

I rocked him to sleep with his cheek upon mine,

While Robby, the four-year old, watched for the coming

Of father, adown the street's indistinct line.

It is many a year since my Harry departed,

To come back no more in the twilight or dawn:

And Robby grew weary of watching, and started

Alone on the journey his father had gone.

It is many a year — and this afternoon sitting

At Robby's old window, I heard the band play,

And suddenly ceased dreaming over my knitting,

To recollect Willie is twenty today.

And that, standing beside him this soft May-day morning,

And the sun making gold of his wreathed cigar smoke,

I saw in his sweet eyes and lips a faint warning,

And choked down the tears when he eagerly spoke:

"Dear mother, you know how these Northmen are crowing,

They would trample the rights of the South in the dust,

The boys are all fire; and they wish I were going —"

He stopped, but his eyes said. "Oh, say if I must!"

I smiled on the boy, though my heart it seemed breaking,

My eyes filled with tears, so I turned them away,

And answered him, "Willie, 'tis well you are waking —

Go, act as your father would bid you, today!"

I sit in the window, and see the flags flying,

And drearily list to the roll of the drum,

And smother the pain in my heart that is lying

And bid all the fears in my bosom be dumb.

And if he should fall —his young life he has given

For freedom's sweet sake; and for me, I will pray

Once more with my Harry and Robby in Heaven

To meet the dear boy that enlisted today.