My Friend Walks Like Night

Today in the dark baffling light

    of July’s deepening cloud-haze,

you stole upon your way like night

    escaping everybody’s gaze.

         You came when morning’s eye was closed,

         Its brazen blue no more exposed.

              Now wind calls vainly under cover,

              for someone has spread thick cloud over.

The birds are silent in the groves

    The door is closed to every home.

On the road no traveler moves—

     the lonely road on which you roam.

         O dear friend, as you pass before

         my housefront, see the open door!

              O lonely wanderer on dream’s flow,

              shouldering me aside, don’t go!

Tonight in storm to a lovers’ meeting

         (O my friend, friend of my heart)

you seek a way. The sky is weeping;

and I unsleeping, vigil keeping.

         Again and again to the door I start

         (O my friend, friend of my heart).

I look outside. Your journey’s going,

all unseen, is past my knowing.

    By forest-cover coming over,

    or on the bank of a distant river,

         or in thick darkness set apart,

you are crossing to your lover

    (O my friend, friend of my heart).