To K. W.

THE twilight droops across the day, I watch her portrait on the wall Palely recede into the grey That palely comes and covers all.

The sad Spring twilight, dull, forlorn, The menace of the dreary night: But in her face, more fair than morn, A sweet suspension of delight.

 

IN WINTER.

PALE from the watery west, with the pallor of winter a-cold, Rays of the afternoon sun in a glimmer across the trees; Glittering moist underfoot, the long alley. The firs, one by one, Catch and conceal, as I saunter, and flash in a dazzle of gold Lower and lower the vanishing disc: and the sun alone sees At I wait for my love in the fir-tree alley alone with the sun.

 

QUEST.

I CHASE a shadow through the night, A shadow unavailing; Out of the dark, into the light, I follow, follow: is it she?

Against the wall of sea outlined, Outlined against the windows lit, The shadow flickers, and behind I follow, follow after it.

The shadow leads me through the night To the grey margin of the sea; Out of the dark, into the light, I follow unavailingly.

 

TO A PORTRAIT.

A PENSIVE photograph Watches me from the shelf: Ghost of old love, and half Ghost of myself!

How the dear waiting eyes Watch me and love me yet: Sad home of memories, Her waiting eyes!

Ghost of old love, wronged ghost, Return, though all the pain Of all once loved, long lost, Come back again.

Forget not, but forgive! Alas, too late I cry. We are two ghosts that had their chance to live, And lost it, she and I.

 

SECOND THOUGHTS.

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