Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ALL SOULS' NIGHT, by KATHARINE TYNAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ALL SOULS' NIGHT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The door of heaven is on the latch
Last Line: This night again.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hinkson, Katharine Tynan
Subject(s): All Souls' Night; Comfort; Love; Reunions; All Hallows Night


THE door of Heaven is on the latch
To-night, and many a man is fain
To steal back and keep the watch
With his love again.

Now the children are in bed,
She hath spread the board, the fire's warm
Lest any come for heart's bread
In from the storm.

The twigs tap against the pane,
Dead leaves drift upon the floor.
Oh, who comes from the night and rain
As oft before?

His coat is damp with night-dew,
His cheek is wet against her cheek.
They kiss long as they used to do
Before they speak.

They sit down to the lit board;
With meat and wine he shall be fed.
And there is many a sweet word
That must be said.

Many a word of comforting
Is said before the cock crow,
When they shall kiss and they shall cling,
But he must go.

When all the world is fast asleep
There's light in her window-pane
Where she and her Love the watch keep
This night again.





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