ABSENCE

When she had left us but a little while

Methought I sensed her spirit here and there

About my house: upon the empty stair

Her robe brusht softly; o'er her chamber still

There lay her fragrant presence to beguile

Numb heart, dead heart. I knelt before her chair,

And praying felt her hand laid on my hair,

Felt her sweet breath, and guess'd her wistful smile.

Then thro’ my tears I lookt about the room,

But she was gone. I heard my heart beat fast;

The street was silent; I could not see her now.

Sorrow and I took up our load, and past

To where our station was with heads bent low,

And autumn's death-moan shiver'd thro’ the gloom.