The Inheritance

Since you did depart     Out of my reach, my darling,     Into the hidden,     I see each shadow start     With recognition, and I     Am wonder-ridden.     I am dazed with the farewell,     But I scarcely feel your loss.     You left me a gift     Of tongues, so the shadows tell     Me things, and silences toss     Me their drift.     You sent me a cloven fire     Out of death, and it burns in the draught     Of the breathing hosts,     Kindles the darkening pyre     For the sorrowful, till strange brands waft     Like candid ghosts.     Form after form, in the streets     Waves like a ghost along,     Kindled to me;     The star above the house-top greets     Me every eve with a long     Song fierily.     All day long, the town     Glimmers with subtle ghosts     Going up and down     In a common, prison-like dress;     But their daunted looking flickers     To me, and I answer, Yes!     So I am not lonely nor sad     Although bereaved of you,     My little love.     I move among a kinsfolk clad     With words, but the dream shows through     As they move.