Poems (Chitwood)/The Spirit Visitor

THE SPIRIT VISITOR.

Where are the dear departed,
That charmed my early hours—
The gay, the happy-hearted,
As lovely as the flowers?
I have watched for them at even,
When the stars begin to glow;
"And is there no returning?"
I have asked, in murmurs low:
When it seemed a voice would answer,
"There is no returning, no!"

And when the morn is lighting
With gold each hill and plain,
My heart is still inviting
Those lost ones back again;
And my soul is still inquiring,
I ask where e'er I go,
"Oh! is there no returning
Of those cherished ones below?"
But the same sad voice still whispered,
"There is no returning, no!"

I sometimes think their voices full
In music on mine ear,
And turn in fond expectance,
But alas! they are not near;
Yet I seem to hear their footsteps,
But oh, it is not so!
For there is no returning
Of those sleeping ones below;
For that thrilling voice still mutters,
"There is no returning, no!"

There is one that in my dreaming
Seems to beckon me to go,
Since there is no return again
To life, on earth below;
Her robes are white and shining,
And a crown is 'round her brow,
And a bright transparent halo
Seems shining 'round her now;
And noiseless are her footsteps,
As noiseless as the air:
I know she is not earthly,
For earth she is too fair.

But I know that she reminds me
Of one I used to love,
Who faded in the spring-time,
When skies were blue above.
That face is very beautiful
That comes to me by night,
But ever will forsake me,
And flee before the light.
She is that gentle being
I loved in childhood's hours,
With whom I used to wander
When fragile as the flowers;
And oh! when first she left me,
My every walk how lone!
And I scarce could make my youthful heart
Believe my friend was gone:
And still, when e'er I wander
Where we used of yore to go,
I sigh for her returning,
But the same voice answers—"No!"