The Wife

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   Living, I had no might
   To make you hear,
   Now, in the inmost night,
   I am so near
   No whisper, falling light,
   Divides us, dear.
   Living, I had no claim
   On your great hours.
   Now the thin candle-flame,
  The closing flowers,
  Wed summer with my name, -
  And these are ours.

  Your shadow on the dust,
  Strength, and a cry,
  Delight, despair, mistrust, -
  All these am I.
  Dawn, and the far hills thrust
  To a far sky.

  Living, I had no skill
  To stay your tread,
  Now all that was my will
  Silence has said.
  We are one for good and ill
  Since I am dead.

© Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthall