If I could only write

By the campfire I am dreaming and feeling sense of pain

I’m thinking of you mother as the light begins to wane

Wondering why I’m lonely and wondering why I’m sad

There’s such a lot to tell you since I wandered as a lad.

Long ago I left you and my homeland far behind

This land is now my country and it’s "right" within my mind

But this sadness overcomes me and I wish to pen a line

To assure you I’m happy and everything is fine.

Many years I’ve walked the gully - many years I’ve searched for gold

I’ve fought the isolation and I’ve cursed the heat and cold

I’ve used up all the paper and I’ve used up all the rags

My toes are poking through my boots - my clothes are made from bags.

Now I’d like for me to tell you I’ve struck it rich at last

The futures looking brighter and the hungers in the past

The gold is shining brightly and I’ve sewn it all up tight"

I could tell you all about it - "If I could only write"!

There’ll be a house upon the hill with windows glowing bright-

To show us where the welcome is - on the dark and dreary night

The sun will always shine for us and the moon will always glow-

There’ll be a bit of home in every where we go!

But the dream has come a little vague and the fires going out-

My feet are feeling numb again - my heart is full of doubt-

I’m feeling awfully feeble and I’ve almost lost my sight

But I’m sorry I can’t reach you - "I wish I’d learned to write"!

Jessie Berry