Remembered

Here in the dusk I picture it again, Her face, as ’twas before she fell asleep: Renunciation glorifying pain Of her soul’s inmost deep.

I shall not see its like again! the brow Of marble, that the fair hair aureoled,-- Like some pale lily in the afterglow,-- With supernatural gold.

As if a rose should speak and, somehow heard Thro’ some strange sense, the unembodied sound Grow visible, her mouth was as a word A sweet thought falters round.

So do I still remember eyes imbued With far reflections--as the stars suggest The silence, purity, and solitude Of infinite peace and rest.

She was my all. I loved her as men love A high desire, religion, an ideal-- The meaning purpose in the loss whereof God shall alone reveal.