TO-DAY I entertained a ghost -- And yet he came in live man's guise, With ready hands to greet his host, And living eyes. I touched his hand and watched his smile, I answered to the words he said, And marveled, knowing all the while, The man was dead. For I had known him quick indeed, With life of tears and life of mirth, A living heart to beat and bleed, A thing of earth. And even I had watched him die Seeing these live things quitting him, As when a soul goes quietly And eyes grow dim. But this ghost looked with living eyes, And this ghost's hand was warm to touch. Perchance had I not been so wise, Knowing too much, I had not guessed what horror springs When these unliving walk again, Bereft of love and hate -- such things As make live men. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CINQUAIN: NIGHT WINDS by ADELAIDE CRAPSEY STONEWALL JACKSON; MORTALLY WOUNDED AT CHANCELLORSVILLE by HERMAN MELVILLE SEASONS by ASCLEPIADES OF SAMOS THE INCURABLE; A SONG by PHILIP AYRES PAULO POST ORDINATIONEM by JOSEPH BEAUMONT PRAYER TO BE AN ARTIST by MARION CLINCH CALKINS LAZARUS by EDWARD RALPH CHEYNEY |