Amid the festive smells, and bells

From the steeple sweetly chiming;

And as the winter’s cold silence

Warms the heart with expectation

Of the swift-set sun, and feasting

Together ‘round the banquet set,

I look to see an empty place

Where once your face, bright and beaming

With happiness, delighted all,

Delighted me.

                        But now you’re gone,

And I, beloved, feel the sting

Of days and weeks, of months and years,

Without your laughter, sans your sighs,

And harmless, confiding whispers.

–

The children sing of Christ the King –

At once my heart is stirred to see,

That ‘round another table set

We yet together eat and drink

The bread, the wine, for Christ is mine,

And yours, and we are ever His.

Until the shadows flee the earth,

And glory fills her like the sea –

Until the empty place is filled,

I’ll eat the Supper here, you there,

And wait, in love, to be renewed.

My tears may flow for now, I know,

But, even so, not forever.