He should have left there yesterday
At noon, and should be here today
By 9 o’clock. All Salem waits
To ring the bell and ope the gates
And greet a fav’rite son.
The pleasure, just to clasp his hand,
And see the answer in his eyes
Is one you’ll only understend
If you have, too, some friend you prize:
Some soldier who, in time of peace,
Gave all he had to Church and friends;
Whose gifts, in Service, never cease;
Benignity that never ends.
He should have left there yesterday
At noon, and should be here today:
“Will Dick be here?” says my refrain–
Soon, now, we’ll know if once again
We’ll greet a fav’rite son!
Written 1-9-44, before S.S.,
And while wondering!
by Ray Romine Sunday, January 9, 1944
