III + 

The October night comes down; returning as before + 

Except for a slight sensation of being ill at ease + 

I mount the stairs and turn the handle of the door + 

And feel as if I had mounted on my hands and knees. + 

“And so you are going abroad; and when do you return? + 

But that’s a useless question. + 

You hardly know when you are coming back, + 

You will find so much to learn.” + 

My smile falls heavily among the bric-a-brac. + 

“Perhaps you can write to me.” + 

My self-possession flares up for a second; + 

This is as I had reckoned. + 

“I have been wondering frequently of late + 

(But our beginnings never know our ends!) + 

Why we have not developed into friends.” + 

I feel like one who smiles, and turning shall remark + 

Suddenly, his expression in a glass. + 

My self-possession gutters; we are really in the dark. + 

“For everybody said so, all our friends, + 

They all were sure our feelings would relate + 

So closely! I myself can hardly understand. + 

We must leave it now to fate. + 

You will write, at any rate. + 

Perhaps it is not too late. + 

I shall sit here, serving tea to friends.” + 

And I must borrow every changing shape + 

To find expression⁠ ⁠… dance, dance + 

Like a dancing bear, + 

Cry like a parrot, chatter like an ape. + 

Let us take the air, in a tobacco trance⁠— + 

Well! and what if she should die some afternoon, + 

Afternoon grey and smoky, evening yellow and rose; + 

Should die and leave me sitting pen in hand + 

With the smoke coming down above the housetops; + 

Doubtful, for quite a while + 

Not knowing what to feel or if I understand + 

Or whether wise or foolish, tardy or too soon⁠ ⁠… + 

Would she not have the advantage, after all? + 

This music is successful with a “dying fall” + 

Now that we talk of dying⁠— + 

And should I have the right to smile? + 