Poems (Larcom)/Bittersweet Shadows
BITTERSWEET SHADOWS.
OFF we drifted, yesterday,Till the sea-foam dashed the spray Of the woodland bittersweet, Leaning from a sunlit cove Where amid salt winds it throve, Swaying to the tide's low beat.
O, the afternoon was fair! Murmurous echoes swept the air,— Sigh of pine, and dip of oar: Every breeze that passed us, went Laden with some rare wood-scent, Loitering down the dreamy shore.
And we lingered, loitering too, Where the heavy cedars threw Shadows on the water's gold; Till again in glee afloat, Like a bird our idle boat Skimmed the wavelets manifold.
Then, the crystal channel won, In its deep the shallop shone, Sails of silver, prow of pearl: Hidden ledges brake that dream, Sucking down the flash and gleam Underneath their high-tide swirl.
Free again, broad sunshine found, Slid the boat on, greenly wound With its veil of bittersweet, Tangling round the sunk rock's edge, Catching streamers of sea-sedge From the sheen beneath our feet.
Anchored in the dusk, a spell From the folds of twilight fell On the bay's black, star-strewn floor. Awe with that weird glitter crept Shuddering through our thoughts; we stept Gladly on firm land once more,
Trailing home the bittersweet. Such dim ending was but meet For an afternoon so rare. Was the date of yesterday? Years since then have slipt away; Few such memories they bare.
No to-days like that remain:Joy is flavored now with pain; For the best of all our crew,—Helmsman, gentlest passenger,—Lie so still they will not stir, Though the sea should drench them through.
So our shallop floats no more Where the low, vine-tangled shore Dips its orange-golden fruit To the plashing of the wave: Only white flowers for a grave, Now our serious hands will suit.
Still the sun shines, and we drift Homeward on the current swift, Those who went before to meet. All things beautiful grow sad: Yet even grief is sometimes glad;— Shade us, Life, with bittersweet!