If You Were Here Tonight

Darkness has settle o’er the camp,

     The pine-knot fire is burning bright;

The moon shines boldly on the lake,

And glimmers now the muskrat’s wake –

     Sweetheart, would you were here tonight.

A loon calls softly for its mate

     Where mountain shadows drown the light;

My heart reverberates the cry,

More lonely than the loon am I –

     Sweetheart, if you were here tonight!

Nor silvery moon nor glowing fire

     Can cheer me like your presence bright;

Before my dreams you vision flies –

This spot would be a paradise

     Sweetheart, if you were here tonight.

June 30, ‘06

                                                                        Kezar Lake from camp, North Lovell Maine, August 1922