'T was long ago, so long I hardly dare To reckon, when in morning's mellow gleam, A shining shadow down the shining stair, Glided to meet me like a tender dream. 'T was long ago, the gentle violets Their hues have gathered and their fragrance shed So many times that jealous memory frets No longer that the morn from her has fled. 'T was long ago, the selfish world without My soul so oft has harried with its strife, And swept the selfish world within to rout, That the fair morning seems another life. 'T was long ago, but sometimes ask I yet: Before the gloaming darkens will the air Grow luminous again? ere I forget Will the sweet shadow steal a-down the stair? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LUNCH AT A CLUB by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET UNWANTED MEMORY by CLARENCE MAJOR OF ANY OLD MAN by ISAAC ROSENBERG |