Verses for a Letter

Did you send out a little white moth
On an errand to-night?
For one hovered and lingered about
With a flutter so light:

A tired little moth, with his wings
Like a flower that had blown
All away on the breath of a wind
That had kissed it and flown.

Did you tell him to hurry, and fly
Through the shadows so fast,
Because I would wait all alone
Till the twilight was past?

For later the lamps would be lit,
And I should go down
To listen to laughter and talk
Of the news of the town.

But my own time is just at the hour
While the clouds fade away;—
I could not help wishing for you,
And my thoughts were astray.

And the little white moth fluttered in
With the love you had sent;
My heart in that minute could tell
Just the words you had meant.

I knew we were so far apart,
I was tired and sad;
But the little moth brought me your love,
And then I was glad.