Dusk in the rain-soaked garden, And dark the house within. A door creaked: someone was early To watch the dawn begin. But he stole away like a thief In the chilly, star-bright air: Though the house was shuttered for slumber, He had left one wakeful there.
Nothing moved in the garden. Never a bird would sing, Nor shake and scatter the dew from the boughs With shy and startled wing. But when that lover had passed the gate A quavering thrush began... 'Come back; come back!' he shrilled to the heart Of the passion-plighted man.
In the grey summer garden I shall find you With day-break and the morning hills behind you. There will be rain-wet roses; stir of wings; And down the wood a thrush that wakes and sings. Not from the past you'll come, but from that deep Where beauty murmurs to the soul asleep: And I shall know the sense of life re-born From dreams into the mystery of morn Where gloom and brightness meet. And standing there Till that calm song is done, at last we'll share The league-spread, quiring symphonies that are Joy in the world, and peace, and dawn's one star.
Sleepless I listen to the surge and drone And drifting roar of the town's undertone; Till through quiet falling rain I hear the bells Tolling and chiming their brief tune that tells Day's midnight end. And from the day that's over No flashes of delight I can recover; But only dreary winter streets, and faces Of people moving in loud clanging places: And I in my loneliness, longing for you...
For all I did to-day, and all I'll do To-morrow, in this city of intense Arteried activities that throb and strive, Is but a beating down of that suspense Which holds me from your arms. I am alive Only that I may find you at the end Of these slow-striking hours I toil to spend, Putting each one behind me, knowing but this-- That all my days are turning toward your kiss; That all expectancy awaits the deep Consoling passion of your eyes, that keep Their radiance for my coming, and their peace For when I find in you my love's release.
You were glad to-night: and now you've gone away. Flushed in the dark, you put your dreams to bed; But as you fall asleep I hear you say Those tired sweet drowsy words we left unsaid.
I am alone: but in the windless night I listen to the gurgling rain that veils The gloom with peace; and whispering of your white Limbs, and your mouth that stormed my throat with bliss, The rain becomes your voice, and tells me tales That crowd my heart with memories of your kiss.