I Never Knew

AFTERTHOUGHT

I NEVER KNEW

I never knew how cold the midnight river

Down where the great ships sail,

Till on the bridge I saw you run and shiver,

And snatched you from the rail-

A waif, a stranger; and you turned on me

With desperate hurt eyes,

As one who'd robbed you of the ancient sea

Where dead all sorrow lies.

I led you back, and in a near café,

Under stale yellow light,

I heard your story, and bewildered stray

Verses of yours that night.

And now, though love and song are yours as never,

With vast white days in store,

I had not known how cold and black the river. . . .

And shudder now yet more.