Windy and grey the morning,
Rainy and low the light;
A woman wandered by me,
And, O! her cheeks were white!
A man came out to meet her,
But never a word he said,
Till she laid her hands upon his breast,
And whispered, “He is dead.”
They two looked at each other,
And the love and the loss of years
Went over their faces like a cloud,
Breaking into tears.
I knew she had been watching
The sorrowful long night through,
And when her watch was over,
A sweet life was over too.
I knew he had been waiting
For a word which he felt before;
But faint hope came with her coming step,
Then went for evermore.
They two looked at each other,
And silently passed away;
And the winter sun went wearily up,
To make another day.