I Shall Keep Faith

Though Christmas may not be within my heart,

I shall keep faith with my brave son who died

A martyr on that far Korean shore

Where terror's horsemen ride.

Then hang the holly and the mistletoe

And light the Yuletide candles; trim the tree--

Dear God, pin back death's curtain with a star

That he may see.

The Archer

First in Archer Christmas Contest

Love's Alchemy

From the plane his comrades bore him,

Placed him gently at my feet--

Maimed and wounded, scarred and suffering.

God in Heaven! Could I meet

All the need for love and solace

In those haunted eyes--that face?

With a cry I held him to me

Sheltered in my heart's embrace.

I could feel his wild heart beating,

Clinging to my very soul.

Looking then I saw but beauty,

For love's alchemy makes whole.

Montana Poetry Quarterly

Step Lightly Night

Shine softly, stars, above him where he lies--

My youthful son--somewhere beneath strange ebon skies

Dreaming of home and cricket lullabies--

                       Shine softly.

Blow gently, winds, and give him my embrace,

And let your cooling breath caress his boyish face

As he lies sleeping in some alien place--

                       Blow gently.

Step lightly, night, and mute the strange alarms

Of war, lest he be wakened rudely from the charms

Of dreams. O, hold him close within your arms--

                       Step lightly.

Walk softly, angels, pause beside his bed;

Placing your hands in tenderness upon his head,

Smooth his dark hair, and kiss him in my stead--

                       Walk softly.