Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DULCIS MEMORIA, by HENRY VAN DYKE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DULCIS MEMORIA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Long, long ago I heard a little song
Last Line: Sweet memory, keep our child with us alway.
Alternate Author Name(s): Civis Americanus
Subject(s): Memory


LONG, long ago I heard a little song,
(Ah, was it long ago, or yesterday?)
So lowly, slowly wound the tune along,
That far into my heart it found the way:
A melody consoling and endearing;
And now, in silent hours, I'm often hearing
The small, sweet song that does not die away.

Long, long ago I saw a little flower --
(Ah, was it long ago, or yesterday?)
So fair of face and fragrant for an hour,
That something dear to me it seemed to say, --
A wordless joy that blossomed into being;
And now, in winter days, I'm often seeing
The friendly flower that does not fade away.

Long, long ago we had a little child, --
(Ah, was it long ago, or yesterday?)
Into his mother's eyes and mine he smiled
Unconscious love; warm in our arms he lay.
An angel called! Dear heart, we could not hold him;
Yet secretly your arms and mine infold him --
Our little child who does not go away.

Long, long ago? Ah, memory, make it clear --
(It was not long ago, but yesterday,)
So little and so helpless and so dear --
Let not the song be lost, the flower decay!
His voice, his waking eyes, his gentle sleeping:
The smallest things are safest in thy keeping, --
Sweet memory, keep our child with us alway.





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