WAITING

Waiting by the shadowed road, Where the last of sunset glowed, I watched the fainting twilight go, Saw the trembling starlight grow, Felt the rising arm of Night Round me wrap her mantle quite; All beneath her shrouding seize, With her darkness drown the trees. There I knew the death of Day And the Night’s mysterious sway,— Marked the shadows climb and fall From a waving pine tree tall, Heard a sound within the wood, Felt my heart sink where I stood, Saw the flowers, tipped with gold, At a footfall, lo! unfold— Heard the insects cease to sing, Guessed the listening of each thing. Then the flowers of the night, Lo, the darkness, swift in flight, All the stars above thee, sweet, And the earth beneath thy feet, In the glory of thy way Spread their wings and passed away.