I

BY DR. AGONSON

I saw the sun over the trees,
and knowing that the day was done,
I turned into the bitter breeze.
I walked alone and saw no one.
I thought, perchance, as time would tell,
there might be someone at my side,
but as I went, nothing befell.
The shadows waxed as like a tide;
The trees, they rose above the sun;
The sudden dark surrounded me.
I wandered on, but there was none,
and in the night I couldn’t see.
Will there be days anew,
are shadows all I’m due?

So softly trills a little bird
to see the dying day;
Its broken song was all I heard
as I went on my way.

The night, the day, the night, the day
and all that I can ever say,
here comes the night, here comes the day.
Alone I make my way.

And in this night, I’m wondering
if ever sun I’ll see again,
for sick I’ve grown of wandering
alone among the crowds of men.
This desert heart is merely dust;
What future showers bring it life?
Here all that’s left to me is lust,
rotting desire growing rife.
The winter wind, no peace it gives,
its clawing cold reaches my chest.
Badum, I feel my heart still lives:
Its striving never lends me rest.
I march within the cold;
I feel myself grow old.

My eyes look up into the stars.
I see uncounted lights.
There wanders on the lonely Mars
his Venus in his sights.

I gaze into that milky host,
and so forget my bitter song.
I stare into the uppermost,
here longing just to long.