John Marchborn Cooley Poems

One ev'ning, as some children play'd
Beneath an oak tree's summer shade,
A stranger, travel-stained and gray,
Beside them halted on his way.
...

Oh! for a brief poetic mood
In which to write a merry line-
A line, which might, could, would or should
Do duty as a Valentine.
...

Fierce as the sword upon his thigh,
Doth gleam the panting soldier's eye,
...

For twenty guests the feast is laid
With luscious wines and viands rare,
And perfumes such as might persuade
The very gods to revel there.
...

Love cannot call her back again,
But oh! it may presume
With ceaseless accents to complain,
All wildly near her tomb.
...

Like him who mourns a jewel lost
In some unfathomable sea,
The precious gem he cherish'd most-
So, dearest, do I mourn for thee.
...

Still-still the Earth each primal grace renews,
And blooms, or brightens with Creation's hues:
Repeats the sun the glories of the sky,
...