Bittersweet Shadows

OFF we drifted, yesterday,Till the sea-foam dashed the sprayOf the woodland bittersweet,Leaning from a sunlit coveWhere amid salt winds it throve,Swaying to the tide's low beat.

O, the afternoon was fair!Murmurous echoes swept the air,—Sigh of pine, and dip of oar:Every breeze that passed us, wentLaden with some rare wood-scent,Loitering down the dreamy shore.

And we lingered, loitering too,Where the heavy cedars threwShadows on the water's gold;Till again in glee afloat,Like a bird our idle boatSkimmed the wavelets manifold.

Then, the crystal channel won,In its deep the shallop shone,Sails of silver, prow of pearl:Hidden ledges brake that dream,Sucking down the flash and gleamUnderneath their high-tide swirl.

Free again, broad sunshine found,Slid the boat on, greenly woundWith its veil of bittersweet,Tangling round the sunk rock's edge,Catching streamers of sea-sedgeFrom the sheen beneath our feet.

Anchored in the dusk, a spellFrom the folds of twilight fellOn the bay's black, star-strewn floor.Awe with that weird glitter creptShuddering through our thoughts; we steptGladly on firm land once more,

Trailing home the bittersweet.Such dim ending was but meetFor an afternoon so rare.Was the date of yesterday?Years since then have slipt away;Few such memories they bare.

No to-days like that remain:Joy is flavored now with pain;For the best of all our crew,—Helmsman, gentlest passenger,—Lie so still they will not stir,Though the sea should drench them through.

So our shallop floats no moreWhere the low, vine-tangled shoreDips its orange-golden fruitTo the plashing of the wave:Only white flowers for a grave,Now our serious hands will suit.

Still the sun shines, and we driftHomeward on the current swift,Those who went before to meet.All things beautiful grow sad:Yet even grief is sometimes glad;—Shade us, Life, with bittersweet!