Moonlight

The moon reached in cold hands across the sill And touched me as I lay sleeping; And in my sleep I thought of sorrowful things : I wakened, and I lay weeping.

I could hear on the beach below the small waves break And fall on the silver shingle, And the sound of a footstep passing in the street Where lamplight and moonlight mingle.

And I said : "All day I can turn my face to the sun And lead my thoughts to laughter; But I hope in my heart that I never shall sleep again Because of the pain thereafter."

The moon's pale fingers wandered across my face And the arm where my hot cheek rested, And because of the tears in my eyes I could not see Where the black waves rocked moon-crested.