Clear Evening

The crescent moon is large enough to linger A little while after the twilight goes, This moist midsummer night the garden perfumes Are earth and apple, dewy pine and rose. Over my head four new-cut stars are glinting And the inevitable night draws on; I am alone, the old terror takes me, Evenings will come like this when I am gone; Evenings on evenings, years on years forever-- Be taut, my spirit, close upon and keep The scent, the brooding chill, the gliding fire-fly, A poem learned before I fall asleep.