Adieu

The Old Church of Skagen, Night (1910) by Johannes Wilhjelm

Goodnight, my dear, with flowers in thy hair

To stir the soul beyond the slumbered scene,

Whose light to pale the prophet’s seraph fair

Doth loose a tear from day’s last waking gleam.

Unknown to thee, a raving phantom lost

Doth haunt the night about with heart affixed 

Like talons on thy grace, and at a cost

I cannot afford, hell and thee betwixt.

But heed this letter ere the night is through.

Inside the church I wait to save a life,

If not mine own then thine for with the dew

Shall I rise, another to call thee wife.

Goodnight at last, my Angel of the day.

Adieu else thou come my forsaken way.

Dedication: To Johann Wolfgang Goethe for The Sorrows of a Young Werther