You laughed through life: no dismal cloud could mar

The even tenor of your heart's bright song.

Oft, lad, with fancy's wings, you'd soar among

The fleece and floss that filmed each twinkling star,

Effulgent in your joy; then, real, afar,

Your throbbing air-steed hurtled high along

Cold pathless reaches, scourging wanton wrong

As mirthless madman willed a world to war.

You streaked in silver spirals from our sight,

In silent space sensed clear His wondrous Word;

You dove from blue-black darkness into light

With flash and thunder of Avenging Sword…

Smile, Jim, in sleep, nor dream your two fold fear;

We've won the toss; all's well with us down here!

James and his crew