Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/207

 SHADOWS OF THREESCORE AND TEN. 2OI

��SHADOWS OF THREESCORE AND TEN.

DO you remember it, old friend, How in the sunny weather Our morning shadows as we went Blended across the heather ?

A jagged outline gay and grim,

Athwart the meadow lying ; With slouching hat now topped, and now

With curl and veil outflying.

. It seemed to wear a blowy beard ; It seemed to wear long tresses ; There was the flutter of a coat, The wave of summer dresses.

Then afterward the sun rose high, And though we walked together

Along the road, two shadows blent Close round us on the heather.

Only an outstretched hand at last

Across the sunshine builded A phantom guide-post, now and then

With frets of sunlight gilded.

E en that was slowly washed ashore By noontide s flood of glory ;

Contentment brought forgetfulness : Tis Life s old common story.

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