All day the board was spread for you, all day the fire burned
All day I waited for you more and more;
But my heart turned with the shadows when the evening shadows turned,
And a little wind of change has clapped the door.
I leave the bread and wine for you, the ember on the stone
The key beneath the threshold wet with dew —
I'm off and down the road again I used to walk alone,
Before I ever built a house for you.
Like little wandering trails that stray
From off the road and make away
Beneath green leaves, and never say
What they are meaning — where they go —
But tempt me ever till I know —
So in yourself I am aware
Of trodden ways that vanish where
Yourself is secret – O beware!
My feet pursue you — I must go
Forever deeper till I know.
- ↑ publié dans The Atlantic monthly, juillet, 1922 - voir sur Hathi Trust