This long day has closed in a yellow moon That over the poplars softly leads, While through the air spreads the gentle croon Of water that slumbers amid the reeds. Could we have known, beneath the torrid sun Tramping the stubble and the blood-red ground, Could we have known, when arid sands o'errun Held, like stamped blood, prints of our feet around, Could we have known, when love's flame soared so high In our souls charred with its hopeless flashes, Could we have known that when the blaze would die Evening would be so gentle, with the ashes, And that the bitter day would gently croon With still water dreaming amid the reeds, Would softly close in a yellow moon That over the poplars rises and leads? |