Perfidy

Hollow rang the house when I knocked on the door,     And I lingered on the threshold with my hand     Upraised to knock and knock once more:     Listening for the sound of her feet across the floor,     Hollow re-echoed my heart.     The low-hung lamps stretched down the road     With shadows drifting underneath,     With a music of soft, melodious feet     Quickening my hope as I hastened to meet     The low-hung light of her eyes.     The golden lamps down the street went out,     The last car trailed the night behind;     And I in the darkness wandered about     With a flutter of hope and of dark-shut doubt     In the dying lamp of my love.     Two brown ponies trotting slowly     Stopped at a dim-lit trough to drink:     The dark van drummed down the distance slowly;     While the city stars so dim and holy     Drew nearer to search through the streets.     A hastening car swept shameful past,     I saw her hid in the shadow,     I saw her step to the curb, and fast     Run to the silent door, where last     I had stood with my hand uplifted.     She clung to the door in her haste to enter,     Entered, and quickly cast     It shut behind her, leaving the street aghast.