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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE THINGS OF OTHER DAYS by DOUGLAS MALLOCH

First Line: I WANT TO HEAR SOME SONGS OF OLD
Last Line: THE THINGS OF OTHER DAYS.

I want to hear some songs of old
And feel some oldtime things,
Like "Silver Threads Among the Gold,"
Because it always brings
The calm and peace of other days,
The simple life and quiet ways
Of years that are no more,
The waiting table, cheery blaze,
The open cabin door.

I want to meet some friends of old,
Some friends I used to know
Whose friendship like a vine took hold
And would not let you go --
Who shared your cheer, in days of cheer,
And in your hour of woe drew near,
Perhaps who little said
But shed a sympathetic tear
And sat up with your dead.

I want to see some things of old
That now I do not see --
I want to see the marigold,
The shady maple tree,
The grasses that were sweet with dew,
The sun that warmed the heart of you,
The lily in the pond,
And, up above, the sky of blue
That seemed the blue Beyond.

This life is swifter than the old,
We cannot stop to love --
So much is bought, so much is sold,
We miss the value of
The things that are not sold or bought,
The gifts that only loving brought,
The words of honest praise,
The friendly smile, the friendly thought --
The things of other days.



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