Page:Poems Bushnell.djvu/39

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Absence

Gone is the nameless charm that binds
The outer world in kinship blest,
The interchange, the light refrain;
And 'twixt our souls, that once were near,
Lie leagues of stirless atmosphere,
Asleep upon a silent main:
Nothing to-day its heart-mate finds,
Nor any answer to its quest.

One kiss of shadow or of air
The world to lovelier life would stir;
Or, might I clasp that distant hand,
Then love would grace for me the whole:
So light a touch on hand or soul,
So light a touch on sea or land,
Makes all things one and all things fair.
Wake, wind! and blow a touch from her!

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