night

This — is the land — the Sunset washes –
These — are the Banks of the Yellow Sea –
Where it rose — or whither it rushes –
These — are the Western Mystery!

Night after Night
Her purple traffic
Strews the landing with Opal Bales –
Merchantmen — poise upon Horizons –
Dip — and vanish like Orioles!

Good Night! Which put the Candle out?
A jealous Zephyr — not a doubt –
Ah, friend, you little knew
How long at that celestial wick
The Angels — labored diligent –
Extinguished — now — for you!

It might — have been the Light House spark –
Some Sailor — rowing in the Dark –
Had importuned to see!
It might — have been the waning lamp
That lit the Drummer from the Camp
To purer Reveille!

Ah, Moon — and Star!
You are very far –
But were no one
Farther than you –
Do you think I’d stop
For a Firmament –
Or a Cubit — or so?

I could borrow a Bonnet
Of the Lark –
And a Chamois’ Silver Boot –
And a stirrup of an Antelope –
And be with you — Tonight!

But, Moon, and Star,
Though you’re very far –
There is one — farther than you –
He — is more than a firmament — from Me –
So I can never go!

Kill your Balm — and its Odors bless you –
Bare your Jessamine — to the storm –
And she will fling her maddest perfume –
Haply — your Summer night to Charm –

Stab the Bird — that built in your bosom –
Oh, could you catch her last Refrain –
Bubble! “forgive” — “Some better” — Bubble!
“Carol for Him — when I am gone”!

If He dissolve — then –
there is nothing — more –
Eclipse — at Midnight –
It was dark — before –

Sunset — at Easter –
Blindness — on the Dawn –
Faint Star of Bethlehem –
Gone down!

Would but some God — inform Him –
Or it be too late!
Say — that the pulse just lisps –
The Chariots wait –

Say — that a little life — for His –
Is leaking — red –
His little Spaniel — tell Him!
Will He heed?

I’ve nothing else — to bring, You know –
So I keep bringing These –
Just as the Night keeps fetching Stars
To our familiar eyes –

Maybe, we shouldn’t mind them –
Unless they didn’t come –
Then — maybe, it would puzzle us
To find our way Home –

Tho’ I get home how late — how late –
So I get home – ’twill compensate –
Better will be the Ecstasy
That they have done expecting me –
When Night — descending — dumb — and dark –
They hear my unexpected knock –
Transporting must the moment be –
Brewed from decades of Agony!

To think just how the fire will burn –
Just how long-cheated eyes will turn –
To wonder what myself will say,
And what itself, will say to me –
Beguiles the Centuries of way!

What shall I do — it whimpers so –
This little Hound within the Heart
All day and night with bark and start –
And yet, it will not go –
Would you untie it, were you me –
Would it stop whining — if to Thee –
I sent it — even now?

It should not tease you –
By your chair — or, on the mat –
Or if it dare — to climb your dizzy knee –
Or — sometimes at your side to run –
When you were willing –
Shall it come?
Tell Carlo –
He’ll tell me!