Book 3 — The Whip-poor-will.[16]

Do you remember, father,— It seems so long ago,— The day we fished together Along the Pocono? At dusk I waited for you, Beside the lumber-mill, And there I heard a hidden bird That chanted, "whip-poor-will," "Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!" Sad and shrill,—"whippoorwill!" The place was all deserted; The mill-wheel hung at rest; The lonely star of evening Was quivering in the west; The veil of night was falling; The winds were folded still; And everywhere the trembling air Re-echoed "whip-poor-will!" "Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!" Sad and shrill,—"whippoorwill!" You seemed so long in coming, I felt so much alone; The wide, dark world was round me, And life was all unknown; The hand of sorrow touched me, And made my senses thrill With all the pain that haunts the strain Of mournful whip-poor-will. "Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!" Sad and shrill,—"whippoorwill!" What did I know of trouble? An idle little lad; I had not learned the lessons That make men wise and sad, I dreamed of grief and parting, And something seemed to fill My heart with tears, while in my ears Resounded "whip-poor-will." "Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!" Sad and shrill,—"whippoorwill!" 'Twas but a shadowy sadness, That lightly passed away; But I have known the substance Of sorrow, since that day. For nevermore at twilight, Beside the silent mill, I'll wait for you, in the falling dew, And hear the whip-poor-will. "Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!" Sad and shrill,—"whippoorwill!" But if you still remember, In that fair land of light, The pains and fears that touch us Along this edge of night, I think all earthly grieving, And all our mortal ill, To you must seem like a boy's sad dream, Who hears the whip-poor-will. "Whippoorwill! whippoorwill!" A passing thrill—"whippoorwill!"