AN OLD MAN'S WINTER NIGHT
And eased his heavy breathing, but still slept.
One aged manone mancan't keep a house,
A farm, a countryside, or if he can,
It's thus he does it of a winter night.
HOME BURIAL
He saw her from the bottom of the stairs
Before she saw him. She was starting down,
Looking back over her shoulder at some fear.
She took a doubtful step and then undid it
To raise herself and look again. He spoke
Advancing toward her: "What is it you see
From up there alwaysfor I want to know."
She turned and sank upon her skirts at that,
And her face changed from terrified to dull.
He said to gain time: "What is it you see?"
Mounting until she cowered under him.
"I will find out nowyou must tell me, dear."
She, in her place, refused him any help
With the least stiffening of her neck and silence.
She let him look, sure that he wouldn't see,
Blind creature; arid a while he didn't see,
But at last he murmured, "Oh," and again, "Oh."
"What is itwhat?" she said.
"Just that I see."
"You don't," she challenged. " Tell me what it is."
