Leaves of Grass (1882)/Whispers of Heavenly Death/As if a Phantom Caress'd Me

by Walt Whitman

AS IF A PHANTOM CARESS'D ME.

As if a phantom caress'd me,
I thought I was not alone walking here by the shore;
But the one I thought was with me as now I walk by the shore, the one I loved that caress'd me,
As I lean and look through the glimmering light, that one has utterly disappear'd,
And those appear that are hateful to me and mock me.