SIGHTLESS eyes half closed beneath
Long, black lashes curling yet;
Wavy locks the pale face wreathe
With the salty drops still wet.
Lying there so silently
Womanhood reproachful seems;
Tis a face that we may see
Reappear in troubled dreams.
Lifeless, wasted arm and hand
Stripped of skin by scalpel keen;
Shining tendons, band on band
Ligaments and muscles seen.
Wondrously the fingers move,
Answering to the testing touch
Of each muscle far above.
Whilst the learner marvels much
Searcher, would that thou couldst find
What mysterious power once moved
That dead form! How vain and blind
This long quest of ours has proved!
Now the forceps and the knife
Merciless attack the face
Eagerly with death at strife,
Winning by a swifter pace.
Inch by inch the clinging skin
With reluctance parting shows
Unknown wonders far within.
Sources whence expression flows.
Tiny threadlike muscles here
Teach the lips to move in smiles;
Draw the eyelids tense with fear.
Close them when soft sleep beguiles.
These have knit the brows to frown;
Those have taught the mouth to kiss;
Care and pain have oft weighed down
Wrinkling forehead’s calm with this
These once spread the nostrils wide
When in anger breath came fast;
Or when blew from ocean’s tide
Airs of health caught ere they passed.
Magic house, where sometime dwelt
Spirit, soul, howe ‘er ’tis known!
Ah, what thrills thy walls have felt!
Whither has thy tenant flown ?
If this ruined home appear
Wonderful beyond compare.
What was then the dweller here
That could vanish into air?
By: Dr. William Burt Harlow
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