Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ABSENCE, by RICHARD SOLOMON GEDNEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ABSENCE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When wanes the garish light of day, and stilly night comes on
Last Line: So is thy presence to my heart, so dear art thou to me!
Subject(s): Absence; Farewell; Friendship; Love; Memory; Separation; Isolation; Parting


WHEN wanes the garish light of day, and stilly night comes on,
And forth in Heaven's quiet blue the stars peep one by one,—
I think of Friendship's blighted wreath, love's blossoms all laid low,
Those hours of sunshine, oh, how brief, how long this night of woe.
Ah, then does sadness swell my heart, and loneliness more drear,
'Mid well known scenes where thou hast been, and thou no longer here.
Now from the bosom of the earth, come fair and fresh Spring-flowers,
Frail as the joys which had their birth in other, happier hours;
Though Spring is here all loveliness, she brings no joy to me,
How can this heart know happiness when parted thus from thee?
As the streamlet to the flowers that on its border grow,
As to the spring the song of birds upon the bending bough,
As music on the waters, as a white sail on the sea,
So is thy presence to my heart, so dear art thou to me!





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