Transcript

Gunbower

The homestead drowses in its grounds;
Through window wide come summer sounds,
The magpies’ song, the drone of bees,
A languid air that stirs the trees,
The distant bleat of some stray ewe
Calling her summer lamb.
And drowsily the homestead stands,
Guarding her rich and far-flung lands,
Those fertile lands for which I’ve toiled
Through many a long day
Through days of drought and thunder rains
And icy morns and flooded plains,
I’ve lived the life and loved the land,
The land that fostered me.
How often, with the day’s work done,
I’ve come back at the set of sun,
And fancy I can almost hear
The old house welcome me.
But now, dear home, I’ll have to say
A sad farewell.
And when in time I do return
To share your roof and till your land
I’ll bring you gifts to make you grand.
Green, shaven lawns and leafy bowers,
A swimming pool amongst the flowers.
A sundial old to match your years,
So wait old home! And have no fears,
I’ll find sometime the homeward path
And on your warm, welcoming hearth
I’ll see again the home fires burn
When I return.

V.S. 1942