THE Hoosier in Exile -- a toast That by its very sound Moves us, at first, to tears almost, And sympathy profound; But musing for a little space, We lift the glass and smile, And poise it with a royal grace -- The Hoosier in Exile! The Hoosier in Exile, forsooth! For though his steps may roam The earth's remotest bounds, in truth His heart is ever home! O loyal still to every tie Of native fields and streams, His boyhood friends, and paths whereby He finds them in his dreams! Though he may fare the thronging maze Of alien city streets, His thoughts are set in grassy ways And woodlands' cool retreats: Forever, clear and sweet above The traffic's roar and din, In breezy groves he hears the dove, And is at peace within. When newer friends and generous hands Advance him, he returns Due gratefulness, yet, pausing, stands As one who strangely yearns To pay still further thanks, but sighs To think he knows not where, Till -- like as life -- with misty eyes He sees his mother there. The Hoosier in Exile? Ah, well, Accept the phrase, but know The Hoosier heart must ever dwell Where orchard blossoms grow The whitest, apples reddest, and, In cornlands, mile on mile, The old homesteads forever stand -- "The Hoosier in Exile!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO HIS DYING BROTHER, MASTER WILLIAM HERRICK by ROBERT HERRICK ON SOME LINES OF LOPE DE VEGA by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) THE CHINESE NIGHTINGALE; A SONG IN CHINESE TAPESTRIES by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY THE CHARACTER OF HOLLAND by ANDREW MARVELL THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: DEDICATORY SONNET by EDMUND SPENSER |