In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson]

[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).]

In Memoriam.

The white convolvulus, fair tenuous flower,
Opes its pure petals at day’s tenderest hour.
And all who gaze into its virgin face
Know God is good, and take fresh heart of grace:
At morn a joy, at eve a memory sweet,
For it is smitten by the noontide heat;
How fair, how frail, how fated, and — ah me!
How true an emblem, dear dead girl, of thee.

Source:
Louisa Lawson, “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems, Sydney: Dawn Office, [1905], p. 72

Editor’s notes:
There are some minor differences between this version of the poem and the version published in The Dawn (Sydney, NSW) on 1 June 1896. There were several differences in the punctuation used; however, the most significant differences were:

1896: The white convolvulus, sweet, fragile flower
1905: The white convolvulus, fair tenuous flower,

1896: And they who gaze upon its virgin face,
1905: And all who gaze into its virgin face

1896: For it is death-struck by the noontide heat;
1905: For it is smitten by the noontide heat;

convolvulus = plants of the genus Convolvulus, mostly erect, trailing or twining herbs and shrubs

morn = morning

opes = (archaic) opens

thee = (archaic) you