Classic Poem

TO E.K.P.

The parting day had come; we stood alone
On the bare hillside at the evening hour;
The mountains rose before us in their power,
But from their face the light was wholly flown.
In the gray sky no gleam of sunlight shone;
Black rain-clouds just withheld the threatening shower;
All Nature seemed to pause, and shrink, and cower,
Such sombre stillness over all was thrown.

We spoke in low hushed tones, amid the gloom,
Of life and all its burdens and its cares,
Of sorrow, and of death, and things more sad;
Then of the life that shines beyond the tomb:
From the black sky I looked down, unawares,
And lo! with golden flowers earth at our feet was glad.