John Vance Cheney

At a Grave

As out of the dark the stars,
Broke forth the heavenly bars
Of passion strong,
The wild bird’s song,
Borne, wave on wave,
From a branch above a grave.

Mute heart, you, listening, heard
The music of the bird;
was in your cry,
“A song had I,
But oh, I know
Of the dead asleep below!”