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MEMORY'S PAGEANT; IN MEMORY OF JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY, by                    
First Line: Mystical melody in the air
Last Line: In little lockerbie street.
Subject(s): Riley, James Whitcomb (1849-1916)


Mystical melody in the air,
Unheard whisperings everywhere;
Soft, swift rustle of angels' wings,
A song of sadness the lone wind sings;
Perfume of beautiful flowers unseen,
Pale light of even in silvery sheen;
Troops of fond memories floating by
In billowy clouds of the evening sky:
A pageant of sorrow they meet,
In little Lockerbie Street.

A myriad host as in days of yore
Is greeting a friend at the open door;
Still, muffled footsteps are passing now,
To rhythmic music as heads low bow;
Countless numbers in memories' train
Breathe in sad cadence a sweet refrain
Of love and homage, -- a tender lay
To the children's poet and friend today:
Whose presence in spirit they greet,
In little Lockerbie Street.





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