Come once again out of the depths of night, Out of the darkness, that is all too bright For eyes that need the glare of earthly light Look once again, oh, eyes of purest blue, Deep into mine--alas! that never knew In bygone days what beauty shone in you. O calm and silent eyes, yet once again Ye look upon me, and I look in vain; That baffling stillness--is it love or pain? Or love reproaching me that mine is cold? Ah! never so; the love that burned of old Burns all the more because it burns untold. Nay, doubt me not; a thousand cares beset; New joys new sorrows tempt me to forget; But thou, my dearest! art remembered yet. My brother! my lost brother! who can say How far from sight, beneath life's surface play, Live wounds of anguish that no tears betray? Thou knowest at least that only when my woe Grew part of me, and sank from sight below Into my life, my tears forbore to flow. Thou knowest, oh, love, how often while I fare Through dark and stony paths--in my despair I seek thine arm--and lean--on empty air. Aye, even now thy dear imagined eyes Speak from the darkness, and thy heart replies To these my passionate and wayward cries; "Lean on me still; God gave, in taking me, His precious gifts of Hope and Memory; Be strong in these, and I am near to thee." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER TU FU (THEY SAY YOU'RE STAYING IN A MOUNTAIN TEMPLE) by MARVIN BELL LONELY BURIAL by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET LUNCH AT A CLUB by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 5. THE DANCING GIRL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |