A Fading Face

Out of a dim and slowly fading place In the deep dwelling mem’ries,—as it seems, Mingled of purple mem’ries and of dreams— The perfect marble features of Your face Shine and are seen: each brow is like the space Pearly in heaven after the sun-beams; And all the curving of the mouth still gleams Where many a gracious smile hath left a grace; But the eyes are within, or all too far, Or changed now to some element of heaven Purer and subtler than the blue they were; They meet me not. I know not where you are; With God most—wholly in the grave,—or even In the remembrance of you that is here.