64428: The Unreturning

<p dir="ltr"> Suddenly night crushed out the day and hurled<br> Her remnants over cloud-peaks, thunder-walled.<br> Then fell a stillness such as harks appalled<br> When far-gone dead return upon the world.<br> There watched I for the Dead; but no ghost woke.<br> Each one whom Life exiled I named and called.<br> But they were all too far, or dumbed, or thralled,<br> And never one fared back to me or spoke.<br> Then peered the indefinite unshapen dawn<br> With vacant gloaming, sad as half-lit minds,<br> The weak-limned hour when sick men's sighs are drained.<br> And while I wondered on their being withdrawn,<br> Gagged by the smothering Wing which none unbinds,<br> I dreaded even a heaven with doors so chained.</p>