Hail and Farewell

With tears and a faithful heart and brave mirth, Once on a time you watched to welcome me. Waiting and weariness and agony Until the last were what you thought me worth. But wearier than the months that wait for birth Are those that wait for death— How shall I be Still while you are so still? How shall I see Unbrokenhearted your slow steps from earth?

So the white watchers gather near to hark The soul's approach, the heralding of the horn, And so they strain and listen for the tread Of the free soul retreating down the dark — Mothers who wait for children to be born, Children who wait for mothers to be dead.