THE FIRST CHRISTMAS APART. 

 The shadows watch about the house; Silent as they, I come. Oh, it is true that life is deaf, And not that death is dumb. 

Silent as they, I come.

And not that death is dumb.

 The Christmas thrill is on the earth, The stars throb in the sky. Love listens in a thousand homes,— The Christmas bells ring by. 

The stars throb in the sky.

The Christmas bells ring by.

 I cross the old familiar door And take the dear old chair. You look with desolated eyes Upon me sitting there. 

And take the dear old chair.

Upon me sitting there.

 You gaze and see not, though the tears In gazing burn and start. Believe, the living are the blind, Not that the dead depart. 

In gazing burn and start.

Not that the dead depart.

 A year ago some words we said Kept sacred 'twixt us twain, 'T is you, poor Love, who answer not, The while I speak again. 

Kept sacred 'twixt us twain,

The while I speak again.

 I lean above you as before, Faithful, my arms enfold. Oh, could you know that life is numb, Nor think that death is cold! 

Faithful, my arms enfold.

Nor think that death is cold!

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