Classic Poem

Dear , I tried to write you such a letter
As would tell you all my heart to-day.
Written Love is poor; one word were better;
Easier, too, a thousand times, to say.

I can tell you all: fear, doubts unheeding,
While I can be near you, hold your hand,
Looking right into your eyes, and reading
Reassurance that you understand.

Yet I wrote it through, then lingered, thinking
Of its reaching you, — what hour, what day;
Till I felt my heart and courage sinking
With a strange, new, wondering dismay.

" Will my letter fall, " I wondered sadly,
" On her mood like some discordant tone,
Or be welcomed tenderly and gladly?
Will she be with others, or alone?

" It may find her too absorbed to read it,
Save with hurried glance and careless air;
Sad and weary, she may scarcely heed it;
Gay and happy, she may hardly care.

" Shall I — dare I — risk the chances? " slowly
Something — was it shyness, love, or pride? —
Chilled my heart, and checked my courage wholly;
So I laid it wistfully aside.

Then I leant against the casement, turning
Tearful eyes towards the far-off west,
Where the golden evening light was burning,
Till my heart throbbed back again to rest.

And I thought: " Love's soul is not in fetters,
Neither space nor time keeps souls apart;
Since I cannot — dare not — send my letters,
Through the silence I will send my heart.

" If, perhaps now, while my tears are falling,
She is dreaming quietly alone,
She will hear my Love's far echo calling,
Feel my spirit drawing near her own.

" She will hear, while twilight shades enfold her,
All the gathered Love she knows so well, —
Deepest Love my words have ever told her,
Deeper still — all I could never tell.

" Wondering at the strange, mysterious power
That has touched her heart, then she will say:
" Some one whom I love, this very hour,
Thinks of me, and loves me, far away."

" If, as well may be, to-night has found her
Full of other thoughts, with others by,
Through the words and claims that gather round her
She will hear just one half-smothered sigh;

" Or will marvel why, without her seeking,
Suddenly the thought of me recurs;
Or, while listening to another speaking,
Fancy that my hand is holding hers. "

So I dreamed, and watched the stars' far splendor
Glimmering on the azure darkness, start, —
While the star of trust rose bright and tender,
Through the twilight shadows of my heart.