I HEARD A VOICE UPON THE WINDOW BEAT

I heard a voice upon the window beat And then grow dim, grow still. Opening I saw the snowy sill Marked with the robin's feet. Chill was the air and chill The thoughts that in my bosom beat.

I thought of all that wide and hopeless snow Crusting the frozen lands. Of small birds that in famished bands A-chill and silent grow. And how Earth's myriad hands Clutched only hills of frosted snow.

And then I thought of Love that beat and cried Famishing at my breast; How I, by chilling care distrest, Denied him, and Love died.... O, with what sore unrest Love's ghost woke with the bird that cried!