Stranger

Now that you don’t know me
Is it gone forever, past?
Now my rock has crumbled
In the stormy winter blast
Now the world is darkening
As I watch the farewell train
Though once she spoke within me
Strange, may never see you again
Now the wind is asking:
How a rock so firm can fall
Then the breeze he murmurs
She rose not to save death’s call
Now the leaves are rustling
Do I hear them speak a name
That waits round every corner
Strange, may never see you again
Little girl, lilting lilac
Autumn Queen, by this quiet brook
Once you lay, breathing softly
Now I watch the ashes burn
A stranger who may not return
Rose with the dawn
Sailed on the morning tide
Take this, shining acorn
Treasure it, through joy and sorrow
When you’re old, tired and lonely
Open it — a voice will sigh
A memory that went drifting by
Upon the tide that swept you from my side
Now the bells are calling
I must tread the homeward track
Leave the whispering ripples
For the next part I must act
Though I gave the whole world
She remembers not my name
That star beneath the bright lights
Strange may never see you again