thomas hardy - the last time

The kiss had been given and taken,

            And gathered to many past:

It never could reawaken;

            But I heard none say: ‘It’s the last!’

 

The clock showed the hour and the minute.

            But I did not turn and look:

I read no finis in it,

            As at closing of a book.

 

But I read it all too rightly

            When, at a time anon,

A figure lay stretched out whitely,

            And I stood looking thereon.

 

(orig posted 2.22.05 at travel log)