“O, OLD! O, NEW! "

Who are you?

Why make me wait

From the hour of dew

Till another sunset?

Why do I look

For your coming?

Listen to the weeping brook

That might bring

To my lonely shore

A word from you.

Ah, nothing! not a leaf's tremor!

O, old! O, longed for new!

Who are you? I ask;

Know not why I seek

From day to dusk

Without waking or sleep,—

No sleep! no waking!

A dreaming, a longing;

Not knowing, yet seeking,

For your coming waiting —

O, spring-born!

O, autumn-clad!

O, soul's new morn!

O, old! O, glad!

So glad, so young!

O, unseen, unknown,

O, fugitive vision!

O, eternal moan

In my heart —

O, tearful Soul of laughter,

Untouched, unhurt,

O, sweet! O, bitter!

My born yet unborn,

Shadow not fallen

O, undawning morn —

O, message unbroken.

Why, how, when?

I wait, wait for you,

O embrace of earth and heaven;

O, Old! O, New!