Afterbloom

Gay was her garden as some gorgeous fabric

Weft on an Orient loom,

Star-set upon the sward quaint, old-time blossoms

Wrought broidery of bloom.

Verbenas, dahlias, asters, scarlet cannas

Like torches flaming tall;

( Methought the fair, old face, enframed in silver,

The sweetest flower of all! )

And one rare rose she watched each year with hoping

Till the dear eyes grew dim —

But ere a single blossom burst in beauty

God took her home to Him.

Yet when the Spring next woke the earth to laughter

And boon of blossom gave,

Starred was the rose with white, unearthly flowers —

We laid them on her grave.

And so, meseems, the buds we woo most fondly

Nor light nor perfume shed;

And Love's gold-hearted rose and Hope's star-flower

Oft bloom when we are dead.