  Ninety years forever fled Seem but ninety minutes past, As I, waiting for the last, Live alone among the dead. Musing in the gloom and glow, Lo! I see a ghostly train, Spectres conjured by the brain, Images of long ago. From the soul rise strangled cries, Death-groans from the sins it wrought; From the mind spring buried thought, Poisoned hopes, vain sympathies. In a weird, phantasmal band, Seen as though in life’s eclipse, Perished women kiss my lips, Dead men take me by the hand. Infant figures glad with glee, Cluster in unbidden band, Clasp my old and palsied hand Pulsing high with memory. Pass light fingers through my hair, Once like their’s all tangled gold, Silvery now and thin and old, Bleached with age and blanched with care. Softly touch my parchment skin, Laugh and touch again and ask That I throw aside time’s mask, Dull with years and dark with sin. Look into my dim, dead eyes, Dimmer now with tears that start From the little left of heart That to those dear souls outflies. Crowds of spirit-children pass, Faces, lost long years ago, Buds, soon buried in the snow, Playmates—comrades in the class. Chide me for my childish tears, Bid me join the childish game, Call me by a childish name None have named for scores of years. Youths, high-souled, with aims that age Neither blighted nor betrayed, Look with truth-lit eyes that made Noble life’s short pilgrimage. Friends whose friendship now I crave, Hearts whose love I yet would feel, One by one before me steal, In and out my living grave. All things I have seen and known, Read in book and dreamed in dream, Stand as true as they did seem When I claimed them for my own. I have tried the truth of life, Kissed love’s lips till they grew cold, Drained the cup and clutched the gold, Mingled in the human strife. Seen men come and go like leaves Through the falls of many years, Joined their laughter, shared their tears, In the plot the great God weaves. Ninety years forever fled, Seem but ninety minutes past, And I, waiting for the last, Live alone among the dead. |
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