Ellin Anderson - The Revenants

THE REVENANTS

Ellin Anderson

We ran through the shifting snow
Where the drifts lay shoulder-deep;
Our paths were black and indigo;
The hills were white and steep,
And the wind made music, soft and slow,
That sang of night and sleep.

But you and I were keen
To see the fine old place
Whose classic lines, austere and clean,
Defined a temple's face
In wood that feigned a marble sheen
Where moonlight lent its grace.

As light finds garnets in grey rocks
In falling where it will,
Our hearts bloomed like red hollyhocks
In that sharp winter's chill —
Or rubies in an ivory box —
Although our hearts were still.

Beyond the darkened window-frames,
Two other hearts — not ours —
Would live to cast the scarlet flames
That speak through jewels and flowers,
And time would let two other names
Regret what time devours.

And then, although the sky was clear,
White stars began to fall:
One found my cheek, and left a tear;
Mock-orange veiled the wall.
We watched the lilac-sprays appear;
They blurred the lines of what was dear;
The lilies of another year
Cast fragrance over all —
Love's peace lay over all.