Margaret Widdemer

From “Voices of Women”

I WISH there could have been—

Strong, loyal, innocent—

But one hour long ago,

The you I thought to be.

High watch on things unseen,

Grave honor, pure intent—

The soul I thought to know

Gave all these things to me.

I could have made a grave

For that immortal hour,

For that immortal friend,

Still through my whole life mine.

Purple and gold would wave

Thought-flower, passion-flower,

Above it, to the end

Comforting-place and shrine.

But where your image stood

Oh, there was never you!

(My heart, whence it is gone,

Feels a tired, empty pain).

You were a dream, a mood,

Dim, wavering, untrue;

A ghost that passed at dawn

And will not come again.