Emotion50
(Inspired by sight of Whitestone station in 1921.)
Still stands the selfsame Whitestone station,
So sombre as night’s shades fall;
At its north front do still halt trains,
While brakemen “Whitestone! Whitestone!” call.
My trysting-place in nineteen three
With warriors of the nation,
When I was frivolous and wild,
Was this old Whitestone station.
Yea, holy ground its platform is;
It makes me sigh and ponder;
In my mind’s eye those blue-clad forms
Still wait for me just yonder!
They met me at the train when I
From New York came, directed
To see and stroll about with “braves”
Of manhood unsuspected!
On balmy eves we stalked dark lanes,
No other person near us;
No other’s eye upon us gazed,
No other’s ear could hear us.
What gallant, passionate lovers they!
Considerate of my pleasure!
Uplifting to the highest bliss
That Eve on earth can measure!
Returning to the porte cochere
Of that selfsame old station,
We lingered, till the whistle blew,
In blissful conversation.
What eyesore thou, old Porte Cochere,
To every traveller seemest!
To me, howe’er, thou shelter gave;
With memories dear thou teemest!
The station’s waiting-room with seats
Extending all around it,
‘Whelms me with recollections fond,
Because unchanged I found it!
For ’twas on these rude benches there,
When winter’s winds were hurtling,
And travellers few and far between,
All evening sat we flirting.
In words our conversation lagged;
In substance it was silly!
For all I said the evening through
Was: “How I love thee, Willie!”
We every confidence but breathed,
Lest some strange ear o’erhear us;
They guessed not—travelers—what we said;
There were none very near us.
Whene’er the train I took for town,
And we “Goodnight!” repeated,
“Farewell!” o’erwhelmed me as I left
And in the coach was seated.
Once rode with me a gallant three
To College Point, first station;
To have with me five minutes more
Before farewell ovation.
How charmed was I that period brief!
Its memory ever lingers;
As we sat holding hidden hands,
I felt their horny fingers.
“Three cheers for Jennie June!” they cried,
When finally they must leave me;
“The soldiers’ friend, and sweetheart too!
Let not our parting grieve thee!”
Gone are ye from my life for years,
You heroes! Wonder boys!
In memory though I hold you fast—
Forever perfect joys!
Farewell!