Lady of Lamaline
By Ada M. MacDuff

You were so pretty and still in your prime,
Just beginning a journey that takes a lifetime.
You were so young, no world had you seen,
Leaving your home when you were sixteen.
When packing your things, it seemed like a dream,
But you pondered a bit, leaving dear Lamaline.

All of our family and friends left behind,
Making your way was first on your mind;
Boarding the boat with your spirit held high -
Waves from the shore and shouts of goodbye -
The sun on the shore made a glistening gleam
As the boat pulled away from dear Lamaline.

Others, about your age, leaving the "rock" -
Tears fill your eyes as you move from the dock.
Dreams filled with hope and trunks packed with love -
You'll be watched over by someone above.
Your parents are wondering, what does this means?
(Will their Annie return to dear Lamaline?)

The sweet face of your mother
You saw in the crowd,
And she blew you a kiss
And shouted out loud,
"Take care of yourself, let us know what you've seen,"
As you took a last look at dear Lamaline.

Now you can learn and grow new space to roam,
But in your heart you know you miss your home.
Letters from friends and a man in your life,
Soon you'll be married as husband and wife;
With kids of your own, what does this mean?
You'll never return to your dear Lamaline.

With cooking and washing and minding the store,
And milking the cow, and sweeping the floor -
The butter's been made, the kids are in school -
A walk to the beach before it gets cool
Is refreshing and pleasant, and maybe you dream
Of what it was like in dear Lamaline.

Some family have visited you, over the years,
And always remembered the laughter and tears.
The warm breeze is blowing in with the tide;
You think of your children and smile with pride.
You've lived out your lifetime, so long it might seem -
You're our beautiful lady of dear Lamaline.