The sound of laughter pierced my loneliness,
A small boy's treble and a man's notes gay
As the meadow lark's clear fluting. Effortless
Along the river path they came my way,
The boy light-touching flowers as he skipped
Beside his Dad--Wild flowers God had sown.
The tall man stooped to kiss the face uptipped
And gently said, "My little son, my own!"
And suddenly I was a child again
Striding beside my father with my hand
Love-clasped in his. We were two "farmer men"
Exploring all the wonders of our land.
What tender memories to hold of one
Who carved the timeless footprints for his son!
