LISTENING, yearning, While the lingering, lengthening shadows Link the twilight to the day, While the dewy breath of evening, Sweet with balm from far away, Sways the drooping passion-flower Clinging to my lonely bower, Where I sit, heart-sore and weary, Facing the sad sight so dreary; Listening, yearning For a step that 's ne'er returning. Listening, yearning -- Oh, sad heart, be stilled thy moaning, -- Suns may wane and months may roll, Years may glide in silent sorrow O'er the hope that mocks my soul. Hush thy wail -- let no sharp crying Strike upon the dumb hours, flying, While I sit, 'mid shadows falling, Hoping, heark'ning, watching, calling, Listening, yearning For a wanderer's step returning. Listening, yearning -- Oh, the night grows cold and dreary, Loud the chill wind moans and sighs -- Ghostly faces, wan and eerie, Haunt me with their pitying eyes; Ghosts of dead hopes yet remaining -- With their sad eyes still complaining Though their mute lips make no wailing, Ah, lone watch so unavailing! Listening, yearning For a dear one's step returning. Listening, yearning -- Bleak the night, and storm-clouds gather, Light grows dim, and hope grows cold; Closer press the pitying spectres -- Ah! they clasp me in their fold. Life was mournful -- death is sweeter -- Memory maketh love completer. Dear, through evening shadows falling, Nevermore I wait thee, calling, Listening, yearning For thy step too late returning. Listening, yearning -- O'er the battlements celestial, See the pure-browed seraphs lean Earthward, keeping calms of silence, Waves of pulsing songs between. Oh, by Love Divine once yearning O'er a world, Love's call proud spurning, Love for loss full compensating, -- I adjure thee, seek me, waiting, Listening, yearning, Down from heaven for thy returning. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BALLAD OF WHITECHAPEL by ISAAC ROSENBERG LOVE'S CAUTION by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES DIXIE by DANIEL DECATUR EMMETT THE ALLIGATOR by BEATRICE WITTE RAVENEL A LULLABY by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA THE MUSIC O' THE DEAD by WILLIAM BARNES THE BROOK by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |