To Gabrielle 'For John' Poem by Francis Duggan

I kissed her goodbye in Ballarat and I boarded on the train
And she tapped the glass and waved at me through carriage window pane
'Saying' see you in Melbourne in two weeks time but how was I to know
That we were never more to meet no never ever no.

Five days went by and I phoned her flat her flat in Adelaide
And no reply 'methought' in Ballarat she's been delayed
And then I phoned her aunt who had bad news and through sobs of anguished pain
'She said' dear Gabrielle has gone to god we'd never meet again.

I know she's in a better land a land where angels dwell
But I do miss her miss her so my darling Gabrielle
I loved her more than words could tell and her love for me was true
And a dearer or more precious friend than her I never knew.

I do not seek any sympathy for anguish I've been through
But I miss my love with raven hair and laughing eyes of blue
And every time I think of her it aches me to the core
To know we're never more to meet no never ever more.

Cruel fate has taken her from me my hopes and dreams destroyed
And I feel lonely and alone a part of me has died
But I must get on with my life the world won't wait for me
And all too late to moan about what has or what might be.