The Sad Years/On the Other Side

by Dora Sigerson Shorter

ON THE OTHER SIDE

What will you do through the waiting days,
What will my darling do?
Will you sleep, or wander in those strange ways
Until I can come to you?

Do you cry at the door as I cry here,
Death's door that lies between?
Do you plead in vain for my love, my dear,
As you stand by my side unseen?

Who will comfort your difficult ways
That were hard to understand,
When I who knew you through all your days,
Can give you no helping hand?

When I who loved you no word can speak,
Though your ghost should cry to me,
Can give no help, though my heart should break
At the thought of your agony.

You were shy of strangers—and who will come
As you stand there lone and new,
Through the long years when my lips are dumb
What will my darling do?