| Death crossed his threshold yesterday And left the glad voice of his loved one dumb. To him the living now will come And cross his threshold in the self-same way To clasp his hand and vainly try to say Words that shall soothe the heart that's stricken numb. And I shall be among them in that place So still and silent, where she used to sing— The glad, sweet spirit that has taken wing— Where shone the radiance of her lovely face, And where she met him oft with fond embrace, I shall step in to share his sorrowing. Beside the staircase that has known her hand And in the hall her presence made complete, The home her life endowed with memories sweet Where everything has heard her sweet command And seems to wear her beauty, I shall stand Wondering just how to greet him when we meet. I dread the very silence of the place, I dread our meeting and the time to speak— Speech seems so vain when sorrow's at the peak! Yet though my words lack soothing power or grace, Perhaps he'll catch their meaning in my face And read the tears which glisten on my cheek. Edgar Albert Guest 1881 - 1959 Written (1920) |
Warblings
- Von
- Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Widowed 2009. Have the love of my family and close friends to buoy me when needed. Planning to re-join the work force this year. Hopefully my sister will be visiting from UK with her husband for a holiday - I love my family! Would love to re-visit Scotland some time soon.
October 20, 2009
The Tears Expressive
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
How many times have we greeted a friend or family member at a time of death or loss of a dearly loved person? Not knowing what to say, or do - sometimes there are no words that can be said but the touch of a hand, a physical recognition of the grief to the recently bereaved can work it's magic without one word being said.
This is exactly what I feel this poet has captured in this wonderful poem.
Post a Comment