Poems (Chitwood)/Lay for an Absent One
LAY FOR AN ABSENT ONE.
The woodland trees are dark with leaves, And bright lived blossoms fall in showers,And birds have built beneath the eaves, Just where they built in by-gone hours; But every breeze that lightly shakes A wealth of fragrance from the tree,Within my heart an echo wakes Of thee, sweet friend! of thee! of thee!
Adown the crimson-curtained west Hath rolled the day-god's golden car,And on the blue sky's tranquil breast Shines out in peace the evening star,While gentle zephyrs, soft and fair, Blow up from southlands, fresh and free;But linked with every vision rare Come up sweet thoughts of thee! of thee!
Like shadows mingling in a dream, The sunbeams move and light waves meetUpon the rippling meadow stream That used to lave our tiring feet.The gentle stream! the meadow rill, The bright waves mingling joyously,No wonder that their rippling still Calls up dear thoughts, sweet friend, of thee.
When thou and I were side by side, Our hearts, our hopes and wishes one,But now this glorious eventide, Thou art away and I alone;Alone, alone, while gentle night Hath closed around me silently.May angels guard thy slumbers light: Good night, sweet friend, good night to thee.