C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Mary Booth
By Thomas William Parsons (18191892)
W
Or say or write that shall express the half?
What can we do but pillow that fair head,
And let the Springtime write her epitaph?—
Wind-flower and columbine and maiden’s-tear;
Each letter of that pretty alphabet
That spells in flowers the pageant of the year.
She was a woman for a husband’s life;
One that has learned to value, far above
The name of love, the sacred name of wife.
Had all there is of life, except gray hairs:
Hope, love, trust, passion and devotion deep;
And that mysterious tie a mother bears.
Set her down gently at the iron door!
Eyes look on that loved image for the last:
Now cover it in earth—her earth no more.