The Ghost's Story

All my life long I heard the step Of some one I would know, Break softly in upon my days And lightly come and go. A foot so brisk I said must bear A heart that's clean and clear; If that companion blithe would come, I should be happy here. But though I waited long and well, He never came at all, I grew aweary of the void, Even of the light foot-fall. From loneliness to loneliness I felt my spirit grope-- At last I knew the uttermost, The loneliness of hope. And just upon the border land, Where flesh and spirit part, I knew the secret foot-fall was The beating of my heart.