50 A Parallel
Time has passed, since
Shadows trembled to watch
Twilight sweep the earth
For the phantoms to trip and mince.
A dark breeze the forest-heart stirs;
Yet merry the face of the sky—
Twinkling in joy
Its innumerable eyes, the stars.
Hushed the music within;
Pleasure’s silver laugh, dead;
Thought lost in reverie—
Reverie receding into nothing.
The taper of dreams flickers
Out, leaving the soul in dusk
By the altar of love,
Flower-laden as the night with stars.