PART IV.
By Conrad Aiken
‘ This envelope you say has something in it
Which once belonged to your dead son — or something
He knew, was fond of? Something he remembers?—
The soul flies far, and we can only call it
By things like these... a photograph, a letter,
Ribbon, or charm, or watch...'
... Wind flows softly, the long slow even wind,
Over the low roofs white with snow;
Wind blows, bearing cold clouds over the ocean,
One by one they melt and flow,—
Streaming one by one over trees and towers,
Coiling and gleaming in shafts of sun;
Wind flows, bearing clouds; the hurrying shadows
Flow under them one by one...
'... A spirit darkens before me... it is the spirit
Which in the flesh you called your son... A spirit
Young and strong and beautiful...
He says that he is happy, is much honored;
Forgives and is forgiven... rain and wind
Do not perplex him... storm and dust forgotten..
The glittering wheels in wheels of time are broken
And laid aside...'
‘ Ask him why he did the thing he did!’
‘ He is unhappy. This thing, he says, transcends you:
Dust cannot hold what shines beyond the dust...
What seems calamity is less than a sigh;
What seems disgrace is nothing.’
‘ Ask him if the one he hurt is there,
And if she loves him still!’
‘ He tells you she is there, and loves him still,—
Not as she did, but as all spirits love...
A cloud of spirits has gathered about him.
They praise him and call him, they do him honor;
He is more beautiful, he shines upon them.’
... Wind flows softly, the long deep tremulous wind,
Over the low roofs white with snow...
Wind flows, bearing dreams; they gather and vanish,
One by one they sing and flow;
Over the outstretched lands of days remembered,
Over remembered tower and wall,
One by one they gather and talk in the darkness,
Rise and glimmer and fall...
‘ Ask him why he did the thing he did!
He knows I will understand!’
‘ It is too late:
He will not hear me: I have lost my power.’
‘ Three times I've asked him! He will never tell me.
God have mercy upon him. I will ask no more.’