Love the Monopolist

(Young Lover's Reverie)

The train draws forth from the station-yard,
   And with it carries me.
I rise, and stretch out, and regard
   The platform left, and see
An airy slim blue form there standing,
   And know that it is she.
While with strained vision I watch on,
   The figure turns round quite
To greet friends gaily; then is gone . . .
   The import may be slight,
But why remained she not hard gazing
   Till I was out of sight?
"O do not chat with others there,"
   I brood.  "They are not I.
O strain your thoughts as if they were
   Gold bands between us; eye
All neighbour scenes as so much blankness
   Till I again am by!
"A troubled soughing in the breeze
   And the sky overhead
Let yourself feel; and shadeful trees,
   Ripe corn, and apples red,
Read as things barren and distasteful
   While we are separated!
"When I come back uncloak your gloom,
   And let in lovely day;
Then the long dark as of the tomb
   Can well be thrust away
With sweet things I shall have to practise,
   And you will have to say!"

Begun 1871: finished -