Sunday, December 19, 2010

Without Her



What of the glass without her? The blank grey
...There where the pool is blind of the moon's face.
...Her dress without her? The tossed empty space
Of cloud-rack whence the moon has passed away.
Her paths without her? Day's appointed sway
...Usurped by desolate night. Her pillowed place
...Without her? Tears, ah me! for love's good grace,
And cold forgetfulness of night or day.

What of the heart without her? Nay, poor heart,
...Of thee what word remains ere speech be still?
...A wayfarer by barren ways and chill,
Steep ways and weary, without her thou art,
Where the long cloud, the long wood's counterpart,
...Sheds doubled darkness up the labouring hill.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti