Twilight Musing + 

I’m sitting by the hearthstone now, + 

And my heart is lone and drear; + 

It seems as though the autumn blast + 

Had left its impress there. + 

As memory, backward, wends its way, + 

Unfolding to my gaze + 

Those joyful hours of “Auld Lang Syne,” + 

Those lights of by-gone days. + 

I’m musing on the past, when I + 

In childhood’s thoughtless play, + 

Reveled in gladness, joy and mirth, + 

Nor deemed one saddening ray + 

Should ever cloud my gladsome heart, + 

Or cause deep sorrow’s moan⁠— + 

Ne’er dreaming of the time, alas! + 

When I’d be quite alone. + 

I’ve listened to the morning’s song + 

Of nature’s feathered gems, + 

Long ere Aurora’s roseate hue + 

Illumined Orient’s realms, + 

And as their carols wafted high + 

On balmy zephyrs borne, + 

’Tis then I muse, and sadly feel, + 

That I am quite alone. + 

I’ve never heard the ocean’s roar, + 

Or felt its quivering thrill; + 

Nor, on stern Neptune’s bosom been, + 

When all was calm and still⁠— + 

But o’er my heart, at times, there are + 

Such stormy billows borne, + 

That then I sadly, truly feel, + 

That I am quite alone. + 