In the Dark

The fields were silent, and the woodland drear, The moon had set, and clouds hid all the stars; And blindly, when a footfall met my ear, I reached across the bars. And swift as thought this hand was clasped in thine, Though darkness hung around us and above; Not guided by uncertain fate to mine, But by the law of love. I know not which of us may first go hence And leave the other to be brave alone, Unable to dispel the shadows dense That veil the life unknown; But if I linger last, and stretch once more A longing hand when fades this earthly day, Again it will be grasped by thine, before My steps can lose the way.

Collection: 
English
Mary Thacher Higginson

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