WAKING

Oh, the long dawn, the weary, endless dawn,

When sleep's oblivion is torn away

From love that died with dying yesterday

But still unburied in the heart lies on!

Oh, the sick gray, the twitter in the trees,

The sense of human waking o'er the earth!

The quivering memories of love's fair birth

Now strown as deathless flowers o'er its decease!

Oh, the regret, and oh, regretlessness,

Striving for sovranty within the soul!

Oh, fear that life shall never more be whole,

And immortality but make it less!