Night falls, and the speaker asks whether this is the end. No answer comes from the darkness, and then day returns. That opening establishes a cycle: each night brings a hope for an ending, but morning forces her back into life. She describes taking the world upon her neck like a heavy yoke and moving “pace with the serious hours”—a phrase that captures duty, time, and weariness. The address to a “dead man” shifts the poem into grief. She asks him to unclasp his hands from her heart, as if a loved one’s memory will not let her rest. But she accepts the parting: she and her burden pass on, while he and his peace depart. The overall mood is somber, resigned, and quietly haunted—exhaustion mixed with love and letting go.
When the Dark Comes — Summary
When the dark comes, " Is this the end ? " I pray ; No answer from the night, And then once more the day. I take the world again Upon my neck and go Pace with the serious hours. Since fate will have it so, Begone, dead man, unclasp Your hands from round my heart, I and my burden pass. You and your peace depart.