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1880–1929

IN THAT DARK SILENT HOUR

John Freeman

In that dark silent hour When the wind wants power, And in the black height The sky wants light,

Stirless and black In utter lack, And not a sound Escapes from that untroubled round:—

To wake then In the dark, and ache then Until the dark is gone — Lonely, yet not alone;

Hearing another's breath All the quiet beneath, Knowing one sleeps near That day held dear

And dreams held dear; but now In this sharp moment — how Share the moment's sweetness, Forgo its completeness,

Nor be alone Now the dark is grown Spiritual and deep More than in dreams and sleep?

O, it is pain,‘ tis need That so will plead For a little loneliness. If it be pain to miss

Loved touch, look and lip, Companionship Yet is verier pain Then, then

In that dark silent hour When the wind wants power, And you, near or far, sleep, And your released thoughts toward me creep

While I, imprisoned, awake, Ache — ache To be for one Long, little moment with myself alone.

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IN THAT DARK SILENT HOUR · John Freeman · Poetry Cove