After

A little time for laughter,

A little time to sing,

A little time to kiss and cling,

And no more kissing after.

A little while for scheming

Love's unperfected schemes;

A little time for golden dreams,

Then no more any dreaming.

A little while 'twas given

To me to have thy love;

Now, like a ghost, alone I move

About a ruined heaven.

A little time for speaking

Things sweet to say and hear;

A time to seek, and find thee near,

Then no more any seeking.

A little time for saying

Words the heart breaks to say;

A short, sharp time wherein to pray,

Then no more need for praying;

But long, long years to weep in,

And comprehend the whole

Great grief that desolates the soul,

And eternity to sleep in.