The Girl I Left Behind Me

With sweet Regret — (the dearest thing that Yesterday has left us) — We often turn our homeless eyes to scenes whence Fate has reft us. Here sitting by a fading flame, wild waifs of song remind me Of Annie with her gentle ways, the Girl I left behind me. I stood beside the surging sea, with lips of silent passion — I faced you by the surging sea, O brows of mild repression! I never said — “my darling, stay!” — the moments seemed to bind me To something stifling all my words for the Girl I left behind me. The pathos worn by common things — by every wayside flower, Or Autumn leaf on lonely winds, revives the parting hour. Ye swooning thoughts without a voice — ye tears which rose to blind me, Why did she fade into the Dark, the Girl I left behind me. At night they always come to me, the tender and true-hearted; And in my dreams we join again the hands which now are parted; And, looking through the gates of Sleep, the pleasant Moon doth find me For ever wandering with my Love, the Girl I left behind me. You know my life is incomplete, O far-off faint Ideal! When shall I reach you from a depth of darkness which is real? So I may mingle, soul in soul, with her that Heaven assigned me; So she may lean upon my love, the Girl I left behind me.