Though pierced by wounding thorns among the flowers;
And always through our sacramental tears
We saw a Temple rising. From its towers
Hearing its bells at twilight, we would view
The desert an oasis bright with bloom.
Beauty would compensate our toil; renew
Our autumn hearts. Love's tapers would illume
Our faltering hours; the shadowed valley we
Would walk together, unafraid ... Now lost
And numbed I wait the twilight melody
Knowing the blighting kiss of early frost--
My song is muted to a stifled moan
For I shall hear the temple bells alone.
