Here you will find the Poem In Memoriam of poet Joseph Furphy
A gentle loving thoughtful boy, But happy gay and bright: A gleam of sunshine from the sky That filled a home with light. And whether busied with his play Throughout the passing summer day, Or sleepless in the night A simple song by children sung, For ever in his memory rung, Found gleeful utterance from his tongue And filled him with delight ? 'Jesus loves me ? He will stay Close beside me all the way.' But now across the morning sky The shade of night has rolled ? Lay all his little playthings by, His hands are still and cold. His loving eyes once bright as day Are turning to their former clay ? No more:? the tale is told: The soul has left that pulseless breast For regions of eternal rest. Ay but to die ? a child, alone Without a guard or guide To launch into the vast unknown Where shapeless phantoms glide, To cross the gulf no bridge can span To realms unseen by living man All strange and yet untried. With no familiar loved one near To charm away his childish fear, And give him one soft word of cheer To break the dreary void. Alas! conjecture seems to swim And reason waxes faint and dim, But faith affirms 'tis well with him Whatever may betide. Jesus loves him ? He will stay Close beside him all the way. (February, 1879.)
