Poems (Chitwood)/They Met but Once
THEY MET BUT ONCE.
They met but once,—as clouds of light,
On some blue lake of sky,
Touch their soft cheeks some summer's night,
And link their misty hands of white,
Then separate for aye.
On some blue lake of sky,
Touch their soft cheeks some summer's night,
And link their misty hands of white,
Then separate for aye.
They met but once,.—as rain drops meet
In summer's radiant bow;
It was enough to prove how fleet.
How like a rose-life, brief and sweet,
Are perfect hours below.
In summer's radiant bow;
It was enough to prove how fleet.
How like a rose-life, brief and sweet,
Are perfect hours below.
Into her placid soul he gazed,
He knew 'twas pure and fair;
And, when to his her orbs were raised,
Her heart was not abashed, amazed,
To see her image there.
He knew 'twas pure and fair;
And, when to his her orbs were raised,
Her heart was not abashed, amazed,
To see her image there.
No earth-love caused a single thrill
To pulsate in his breast;
And star-like, suddenly and still,
Like sunset on some lake-like rill,
Her thoughts went down to rest.
To pulsate in his breast;
And star-like, suddenly and still,
Like sunset on some lake-like rill,
Her thoughts went down to rest.
They parted as those clouds that swept
Across the sky above;
Bach for the other ever kept
A holy thought that never slept,
Illuminate with love.
Across the sky above;
Bach for the other ever kept
A holy thought that never slept,
Illuminate with love.
They parted when the moon's fair rim
Was resting on the sea;
How could his heart fail. hope grow dim,—
She was in the same world with him,
Wherever he might be.
Was resting on the sea;
How could his heart fail. hope grow dim,—
She was in the same world with him,
Wherever he might be.
And she had gathered strength and light
To meet the world's loud strife;
The soul within was ever bright,
Thus could she brave the darkest night
That settled over life.
To meet the world's loud strife;
The soul within was ever bright,
Thus could she brave the darkest night
That settled over life.
They parted. Journeying side by side
Were boon for earth too sweet;
Beyond the grave those souls so tried,
By angels wedded, purified,
Again, again, shall meet.
Were boon for earth too sweet;
Beyond the grave those souls so tried,
By angels wedded, purified,
Again, again, shall meet.