BESIDE the bier I watched his rest divine, While sunset faded and the moon rose fair To light the chamber gloom with mellow shine, And kiss the lips that love would hardly dare; And through the lattice, from the meadows, came The south wind like a seraph, fluting low, And fanned his cheek, and almost breathed his name, And waved the pall's weird fringes to and fro. Oh, life I would have given for look or word! Alas, alas, he could not hear my cry! Caress nor prayer his wan, cold slumber stirred; The wind and moonlight were as dear as I! Done were our mingled days of joy and care; Parted the paths we had together trod; He on his bier, and I beside him there — Each, in the stillness, was alone with God. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RHYMES OF THE DAY by GEORGE SANTAYANA NOT BY THE SEA by SARA TEASDALE THANATOPSIS by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER by JOHN DONNE SUICIDE IN THE TRENCHES by SIEGFRIED SASSOON TO HARTLEY COLERIDGE; SIX YEARS OLD by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |