THE ANNOUNCEMENT

They came, the brothers, and took two chairs

In their usual quiet way;

And for a time we did not think

They had much to say.

And they began and talked awhile

Of ordinary things,

Till spread that silence in the room

A pent thought brings.

And then they said: “The end has come.

Yes: it has come at last.”

And we looked down, and knew that day

A spirit had passed.