Page:Poetry, a magazine of verse, Volume 6 (April-September 1915).djvu/23

The New World
 * I know a fellow in a steel-mill who, intent

Upon his labors and his happiness, had meant In his own wisdom to be blest, Had made his own unaided way To schooling, opportunity, Success. And then he loved and married. And his bride, After a brief year, died. I went to him to see If I might comfort him. The comfort came to me.


 * "David," I said, "under the temporary ache

There is unwonted nearness with the dead." I felt his two hands take The sentence from me with a grip Forged in the mills. He told me that his tears were shed Before her breath went. After that, instead Of grief, she came herself. He felt her slip Into his being like a miracle, her lip Whispering on his, to slake His need of her. "And in the night I wake With wonder and I find my bride And her embrace there in our bed, Within my very being!—not outside.


 * "We have each other more, much more,"

He said, "now than before.