 | The Poems of Mackenzie Bell |  |
136
APOSTROPHE TO AN INK-BOTTLE IN A HOTEL COFFEE-ROOM.
'Tis strange to think how oft your aid
Has been invoked, and then
To think how often you are made
A confidant, and when.
Has been invoked, and then
To think how often you are made
A confidant, and when.
Prosaic words of business life
By you have been expressed;
And you have told what fears were rife
Within a lover's breast.
By you have been expressed;
And you have told what fears were rife
Within a lover's breast.
Perchance a little girl or boy
Released from schoolday fetters,
Intent on games, and flushed with joy,
Employs you for home letters.
Released from schoolday fetters,
Intent on games, and flushed with joy,
Employs you for home letters.
A husband forced, though leal and true,
In some new land to dwell,
To his dear wife indites by you
A passionate farewell.
In some new land to dwell,
To his dear wife indites by you
A passionate farewell.
There enters now a seeming “swell,”
Eager, yet half afraid, he
Impresses you for a “billet doux”
On business rather “shady.”
Eager, yet half afraid, he
Impresses you for a “billet doux”
On business rather “shady.”
“Commercials” pen a dazzling dream
Of greatly grown “connection”;
And next you aid the swelling stream
Of filial affection
Of greatly grown “connection”;
And next you aid the swelling stream
Of filial affection
137
Which flows in sorrow, as a son,
From his fond mother parted,
Grieves that his course, alas, has run
So far from whence it started.
From his fond mother parted,
Grieves that his course, alas, has run
So far from whence it started.
Helper of all! from day to day,
What'er their situation,
You win no thanks; each goes away,
Feeling no obligation!
What'er their situation,
You win no thanks; each goes away,
Feeling no obligation!
| The Poems of Mackenzie Bell | |