Cold in the earth, and the deep snow piled above thee! <br />Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave! <br />Have I forgot, my Only Love, to love thee, <br />Severed at last by Time's all-wearing wave? <br />Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover <br />Over the mountains on Angora's shore; <br />Resting their wings where heath and fern-leaves cover <br />That noble heart for ever, ever more? <br /> <br />Cold in the earth, and fifteen wild Decembers <br />From those brown hills have melted into spring-- <br />Faithful indeed is the spirit that remembers <br />After such years of change and suffering! <br /> <br />Sweet Love of youth, forgive if I forget thee <br />While the World's tide is bearing me along: <br />Sterner desires and darker hopes beset me, <br />Hopes which obscure but cannot do thee wrong. <br /> <br />No other Sun has lightened up my heaven; <br />No other Star has ever shone for me: <br />All my life's bliss from thy dear life was given <br />All my life's bliss is in the grave with thee. <br /> <br />But when the days of golden dreams had perished <br />And even Despair was powerless to destroy, <br />Then did I learn how existence could be cherished, <br />Strengthened and fed without the aid of joy; <br /> <br />Then did I check the tears of useless passion, <br />Weaned my young soul from yearning after thine; <br />Sternly denied its burning wish to hasten <br />Down to that tomb already more than mine! <br /> <br />And even yet, I dare not let it languish, <br />Dare not indulge in Memory's rapturous pain; <br />Once drinking deep of that divinest anguish, <br />How could I seek the empty world again? <br /> <br /> (March 3, 1845)<br /><br />Emily Jane Brontë<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/r-alcona-to-j-brenzaida/
