On the Death of Mrs. Susan G. Blanchard, wife of Lieut. A. G.
Blanchard, of the United States Army, and only Sister of the Author.
Sister! they’ve laid thee in the silent earth!
Thy spirit’s free!
And many suns have set upon thy grave—
Unknown to me!
I was not there—to catch thy parting breath!
When thou didst die—
Yet Sister! I shall weep, till grief will dim
Thy Brother’s eye!
Mem’ry shall haunt thee! wheresoe’er I go—
Breaking my heart!
And thy pure sainted image shall be mine
Till life depart!
I would my weary spirit were with thine
Triumphant borne—
For Susan! I shall cling to life, no more—
Now thou art gone!
Perchance that angel spirit hovers nigh
This lonely spot!
And on the wintry air whispers—that I
Am not forgot!
Weeping, I grasp at this ephem’ral dream,
Though vain it be!
And dedicate my breaking heart, oh Grief!
Through life, to thee!