In Memory of Minnie L. Wilbour
We gather in the accustomed place
And look to welcome each dear face;
But miss we one; through yonder door;
Our darling Minnie comes no more!
The birds she loved return to sing
The glories of returning Spring,
The flowers she cherished bloom to bear
New sweetness on the Summer air!
But no renewal of the year
Brings the hushed voice we long to hear
To us no Summer sun revives
That single bloom of wedded lives!
A child of promise, true and good,
Sweet bud of earnest womanhood,
A wayside flower of hope and cheer
To lives, that held not life more dear;
Are these no more? forever lost
Like seedlings in untimely frost?
No! Heaven forbid the mournful thought;
Our own sad hearts the faith has taught
That still she lives whom still we love;
Our arms are stretched to hers above;
Who tells us that our lives may grow
To all she might have been below.
- Title
- In Memory of Minnie L. Wilbour
- Alternative Title
- We gather in the accustomed place
- Creator
-
George Shepard Burleigh
- Bibliographic Citation
- George S. Burleigh Papers, 1825-1902. John Hay Library, Brown University. Large Scrapbook 172
- Date
- 1885
- Subject
- Death
- Young Girls
- Seasons
- Occasional Poems
- Little Compton Neighbors
- note
- The last name of Minnie is misspelled in the newspaper account, which has led to it being misspelled by Spies. The gravestone makes it clear that the correct spelling is "Wilbour," and it has been corrected here.
-
The newspaper article frames this poem and "Our Dead" with the following setting:
"The memorial service was in memory of Minnie L. Wilbour and others, who had been taken from the church by death. Two poems composed for the occasion by Mr. George S. Burleigh were delivered by Hattie Taylor and Mrs. H. J. Brownell, after which Mrs. Almy sang as a solo "Shall we meet beyond the River?""
At the end of the article: "The exercises were under the direction of Oliver P. Peckham, superintendent of the Sunday School." - Minnie L. Spies, 3/7/1874 - 1/4/1885. The picture of her gravestone is taken from the URL below
- Gravesite of Minnie L. Wilbour, in Historic Rhode Island Cemeteries
- Related resource
-
Our Dead
