Classic Poem

If I had known, if I had known,
That day we met upon the street,
That nevermore, in any zone
Of earth's wide spaces we should meet;
What different greeting had been mine!
What different farewell had been thine!

If we had known or dimly guessed,
That close to you were waving wings;
If some low voice within your breast,
Had whispered of eternal things,
What solemn message, high and deep,
You would have given me to keep!

I now recall—how strange it seems!—
You spoke of “writing,” ah! my friend,
From that far land beyond my dreams
What wondrous letter would you send!
Here in my silent room I sit,
And hush my breath to think of it.

If I had known! if I had known!
Still to myself the words I say,
As o'er your grave the snows are blown,
For surely it was yesterday,
When, for a moment's little space,
You stood there, smiling in my face.

I did not know, I could not know:
The angels keep their secrets well,
But as from earth to Heaven they go,
I think some kindly one will tell,
That in remembrance of that hour,
I lift to you this little flower.

If I had known, if I had known,
That day we met upon the street,
That nevermore, in any zone
Of earth's wide spaces we should meet;
What different greeting had been mine!
What different farewell had been thine!

If we had known or dimly guessed,
That close to you were waving wings;
If some low voice within your breast,
Had whispered of eternal things,
What solemn message, high and deep,
You would have given me to keep!

I now recall—how strange it seems!—
You spoke of “writing,” ah! my friend,
From that far land beyond my dreams
What wondrous letter would you send!
Here in my silent room I sit,
And hush my breath to think of it.

If I had known! if I had known!
Still to myself the words I say,
As o'er your grave the snows are blown,
For surely it was yesterday,
When, for a moment's little space,
You stood there, smiling in my face.

I did not know, I could not know:
The angels keep their secrets well,
But as from earth to Heaven they go,
I think some kindly one will tell,
That in remembrance of that hour,
I lift to you this little flower.