Della Hodgson James - School Mates

Hello! Nora! Hello! Gertie, too!
Hello, Eliza, and Birtha Dean!
Sarah, Eve, and Alice, all,
Who hath my seat-mates been.
Mildred! Mildred! Oh, where are you?
Grace, and Hester, too.
Oh! Girls! Girls! Where can you be?
I've so often thought of you.

Ruth Brandon, I'll never forget you!
Amer, your bright face I see!
Ethel, thoughts of you brings memories
Oh! Where in this world can you be?

Oh! Alice, I loved you so dearly
My heart was nigh rent with pain.
When they told me I'd never, never
Behold your sweet face again.

Oh! School mates I'll never forget you!
I loved you, and when I was near blind,
Not one little trifling incident, but
What occurred o'er, and o'er in my mind.

We may never meet again in this world
Your dear faces, I may never again behold
Yet, I hope to meet you in heaven
In that city, with Streets of pure gold.

Della Hodgson James

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/school-mates/