SITTING here by my desk all day, Hearing the constant click As the messages speed on their way, And the call comes sharp and quick -- Oh, what a varied tale they tell Of joy and hope and fear! The funeral knell and the marriage bell In their steady tick I hear. "@3Mother is dying; come at once.@1" And the tears will almost start, For tender daughters and loving sons -- God pity each aching heart! Ah! how the haunting memories press Back to the mind once more, Of the mother's unfailing tenderness, That is now forever o'er. "@3I am well; will come to-night@1." How bright some eyes will glow All day long with a happy light As they watch the moments go. "@3Have had no letters; is something wrong?@1" Some heart is sad to-day, Counting the hours that seem so long For the sake of one away. "@3Arthur Ross, by accident killed; Tell his mother, am coming home.@1" Alas for the home with such sorrow filled, When the bitter tidings come! "@3Alice is better; gaining fast.@1" And hearts that have been bowed Under their weight of fear, at last Shall lose their weary load. So over the wires the tidings speed, Bitter and grave and gay; Some hearts shall beat, and some shall bleed, For the tale they have to say. As I sit all day by my desk alone I hear the stream go by, And catch the wires' changeful tone, With a smile and then a sigh. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BATTLE OF BRITAIN by CECIL DAY LEWIS JOHN WILKES BOOTH AT THE FARM (JANUARY 12, 1848) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS MY LIGHT WITH YOURS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS QUI S'EXCUSE S'ACCUSE by MARIANNE MOORE TWILIGHT SONG by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON CLASS SONG (WHICH WILL BE SUNG ON THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY) by GEORGE SANTAYANA |