Classic Poem

My neighbor's lamp, across the way,
Throws dancing lights upon my wall;
They come and go, in passing play,
And then the sudden shadows fall.

My friend's white soul, through eyes and lips
Shone out on me but yesterday
In radiant warmth; now, swift eclipse
Has left those windows cold and gray.

Ah — if I could but look behind
The still, dark barrier of that night,
And there — undimmed, unwavering — find
That life and love were all alight!