Father

They leaned against the earth his shoulder, in profile his face, his smile with closed lips; and his whole body wrapped in the soft white shroud. Grain by grain the earth — with a silent call — gathered, and leaned against him. My hand is no longer the support of his warm hand. My tears no longer lean on his shoulder. Now he mingles with the earth the earth will mingle with him. Earth! O dear earth! Hold him precious! I lay my whole face upon the earth my tears fall upon its breast upon the breast of love! upon the virgin breast of the earth that came at last, asking us nothing, and filled the distances with its embrace...