A Valediction to a Love
___

Here I lie, my Love, beneath
the sod upon this barren heath.
And in my crypt deep underground,
your forlorn tears my only sound.

But weep not for me, my Angel Love,
for soon your soul, as like the dove,
freed will be from earthly bound
and join me here beneath the ground.

Then, as two lovers, hand in hand
we shall walk this barren land.
And to all about we’ll seem to be
no more than the whisper of the trees.

And at the dying of each day,
as in each other’s arms we lay,
so shall we sleep beneath this earth
’til the dawn and day’s rebirth.

The Lover’s Reply
_

I rest upon this barren heath
Knowing you lie dead beneath.
My tears that rain upon the ground
are pearls in which our love is bound.

And I can aught but weep for you
For what we had was love so true.
And so this phial gripped in my hand
Will lead me to that distant land.

Once there I can in your arms lie
as one again our spirits fly.
And we shall walk the land above
As gentle zephyrs sing our love.

Then as the growing light of day
Sends the shadows from their play
So shall I wait beside your tomb
”til we shall sleep in Death’s dark womb.