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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SEPARATION by RENE FRANCOIS ARMAND PRUDHOMME

First Line: WE WANDERED DOWN, AT DAWN OF DAY
Last Line: WHERE ONE DEEP SHADOW WRAPS IT ALL.
Subject(s): LOVE - LOSS OF;

WE WANDERED down, at dawn of day,
A narrow path -- heart close to heart;
At noon, upon the world's highway,
I walk to right, you left -- apart.

No more we have our heaven together.
How bright is yours! How black is mine!
Your choice is still the sunniest weather,
I keep the side where naught will shine.

Where'er you walk, gleams round you play --
The very sand has diamond beads;
No beams e'er light with gladdening ray
The cold gray soil my footstep treads.

Bird-songs and whispers full of sweets,
Caressing, woo your eye and ear;
Your hair, the breeze, adoring greets
Your lip the bee, entranced, draws near.

And I -- I can but sing and sigh:
My heart's deep wound is ill at ease;
From leaf-hid nests the fondling cry
Disturbs me more than it can please.

But Love! a sky forever bright
May make too keen our mortal joy;
The air's embrace has too much might;
The incense e'en of flowers may cloy.

Then yearns the soul for that calm rest
That closes round at closing day,
With half-shut eye, on some true breast
To watch Life's fever ebb away.

Will you not come and take your seat
By that highway at evening-fall?
I'll wait you there. We two shall meet
Where one deep shadow wraps it all.




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