ASPENS AT CRESHEIM

She had become a stranger suddenly,

Just as all men were strangers; then he knew

Why she must be an alien — even she!

Since there was nought her human love could do

To give him the last access to her soul.

Returning came his years as wholly vain —

Repeated payment of inutile toll

To reach a shrine he would not seek again.

It scarcely left him sad to find how wrong

Had been his vision of won womanhood —

This yearning ache that he had held so long

For a full mingling of their separate blood.

Freed, solitary now, with unscared eyes

He gazed anew at life safe from surprise!