Breathing beside me—your breath!
Listen! The night is so still
God could be heard if he talked with Death
As a man at night might talk on a hill
Gently and sad to a friend
Of the things we always intend …
Night without end for Him—night without end…!
This is the song I have made
Of the night when I was afraid,
Of the night too breathless, too still,
When I lay like stone—alone—alone,
However near me the love we kill.
What of the love we kill?
Pride that died and darkness that grew!
This is the song I began to wreathe …
Ah, but God remembered,—it is not true!
And you—you live, you breathe!
AFTER
(Introductory Poem)
I
On Sunday in the sunlight
With brightness round her strown
And murmuring beauty of the sky
At last her very own,
She who had loved all children
And all high things and clean
Turned away to silentness
And bliss unseen.
Rending, blinding anguish,
Is all a man can know;
Yet still I kneel beside her
For she would have it so,
Kneel and pray beside her
In light she left behind—
Light and love in silentness,
Sight to the blind.
Oh living light burn through me!
Oh speak, as spoke to me
Her deep sweet eyes and faithful,
Voice on Calvary!
Oh light be near and shining,
Nearer than I guess,
And teach me that true language
Of silentness!