In Shadow (by Hart Crane)

Hart Crane, 1899-1932
In Shadow
Out in the late amber afternoon,
Confused among chrysanthemums,
Her parasol, a pale balloon,
Like a waiting moon, in shadow swims.
Her furtive lace and misty hair
Over the garden dial distill
The sunlight,—then withdrawing, wear
Again the shadows at her will.
Gently yet suddenly, the sheen
Of stars inwraps her parasol.
She hears my step behind the green
Twilight, stiller than shadows, fall.
"Come, it is too late,—too late
To risk alone the light's decline:
Nor has the evening long to wait,"—
But her own words are night's and mine.
* * * *
"In Shadow" composed c. September 1917 and first published in December 1917
It also appeared in Crane's collection White Buildings
More Hart Crane is available in these volumes from Amazon:





Like it....
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Me too!
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That is a keeper! ♥
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Thanks, Susan! I think so, too.
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Can't go wrong with Crane
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I agree. I've never met a poem by him I didn't like.
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