I see around me tombstones grey <br />Stretching their shadows far away. <br />Beneath the turf my footsteps tread <br />Lie low and lone the silent dead - <br />Beneath the turf - beneath the mould - <br />Forever dark, forever cold - <br />And my eyes cannot hold the tears <br />That memory hoards from vanished years <br />For Time and Death and Mortal pain <br />Give wounds that will not heal again - <br />Let me remember half the woe <br />I've seen and heard and felt below, <br />And Heaven itself - so pure and blest, <br />Could never give my spirit rest - <br />Sweet land of light! thy children fair <br />Know nought akin to our despair - <br />Nor have they felt, nor can they tell <br />What tenants haunt each mortal cell, <br />What gloomy guests we hold within - <br />Torments and madness, tears and sin! <br />Well - may they live in ectasy <br />Their long eternity of joy; <br />At least we would not bring them down <br />With us to weep, with us to groan, <br />No - Earth would wish no other sphere <br />To taste her cup of sufferings drear; <br />She turns from Heaven with a careless eye <br />And only mourns that we must die! <br />Ah mother, what shall comfort thee <br />In all this boundless misery? <br />To cheer our eager eyes a while <br />We see thee smile; how fondly smile! <br />But who reads not through that tender glow <br />Thy deep, unutterable woe: <br />Indeed no dazzling land above <br />Can cheat thee of thy children's love. <br />We all, in life's departing shine, <br />Our last dear longings blend with thine; <br />And struggle still and strive to trace <br />With clouded gaze, thy darling face. <br />We would not leave our native home <br />For any world beyond the Tomb. <br />No - rather on thy kindly breast <br />Let us be laid in lasting rest; <br />Or waken but to share with thee <br />A mutual immortality -<br /><br />Emily Jane Brontë<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-see-around-me-tombstones-grey/
