In Flanders Fields and Other Poems — The Hope of My Heart

The Hope of My Heart "Delicta juventutis et ignorantius ejus, quoesumus ne memineris, Domine."

I left, to earth, a little maiden fair, With locks of gold, and eyes that shamed the light;

I prayed that God might have her in His care And sight.

Earth's love was false; her voice, a siren's song;

(Sweet mother-earth was but a lying name) The path she showed was but the path of wrong And shame.

"Cast her not out!"

I cry.

God's kind words come -- "Her future is with Me, as was her past;

It shall be My good will to bring her home At last."

Penance