I DECKED mine altar with faded flowers,

Because I was sad at heart, you see,

And cared no more, what the passing hours

In going and coming might bring to me—

I said, ‘Alas, for the lingering hours

Shall not bring ought of delight to me.’

And yet I sighed for the faded flowers,

Because my flowers were dead, you see,

Sighed for the flowers and the passing hours

Because I was sick unto death, you see—

Sick unto death of the desolate hours

Which came and went so wearily—

And then I looked on my faded flowers

And sat down and wept for memory.