Epitaph

The Earth Speaks:

HUSH! he drowses, drowses deep,

While my quiet arms I keep

Close about him in his sleep.

Once he glanced at me aghast,

Shuddered from my kiss, and passed —

But I hold him here at last.

He had frenzied thoughts of fame,

Piteous strivings for a name —

But I called him, and he came.

Called him with the mother-call

That shall on the weary fall,

Whispering "Home" to all, to all.

Fair white skin he looked upon;

Eyes in his with passion shone;

But my patient love has won.

There was one he deemed to wed;

But he faltered, came instead

To my narrow bridal bed.

Vehement his veins and wild —

Now a dreaming, glad-eyed child

To my kisses reconciled.

Tender heart and turbulent,

I and he together pent

In an aeon of content!

Heaven holds for him no prize:

Stirless, nested here he lies

In his narrow Paradise.

When his trump God's Angel blows,

When he shudders, wakens, knows,

I shall hold him close, so close!

He will feel life's aching pain,

Turn his lips to me, and then

Sink to dreamless sleep again.

So for aye my love I keep

Here upon my breast asleep —

Hush! . . .he drowses . . .drowses . . .deep.