Passion Flowers (Watson)/Bereft

Bereft.

I knew just how much I loved him; there comes no revealing to me
Of the depths of passionate feeling; I knew what the world would be
Without him.

I had visions of its desolation, I had measured its emptiness drear,
And had looked with frighted eyes often, to this possible woe—now here
Without him.

You need not talk about sorrow, nor tell me the value of tears;
Be quiet, the height of my effort will be only to live thro' the years
Without him.

Ambition! the children! be quiet. How dare you name them to me?
In this vast solitude I inhabit only shadows they seem to be,
Without him.

············

Oh! God, forgive this first moment's despairing and hopeless regret;
Oh! help me to stifle this moaning; 'tis all that I feel as yet,
Without him.

Oh! help me be silent, submissive; oh! lay thy hand on my heart,
To still its rebellious beatings and teach it to do its part
Without him.

Without him, oh! terror of darkness; without him I grope in despair!
Oh! angels, reach down from heaven, and tell me I'll not be there
Without him.