I learned — at least — what Home could be —

I learned — at least — what Home could be —
How ignorant I had been
Of pretty ways of Covenant —
How awkward at the Hymn

Round our new Fireside — but for this —
This pattern — of the way —
Whose Memory drowns me, like the Dip
Of a Celestial Sea —

What Mornings in our Garden — guessed —
What Bees — for us — to hum —
With only Birds to interrupt
The Ripple of our Theme —

And Task for Both — When Play be done —
Your Problem — of the Brain —
And mine — some foolisher effect —
A Ruffle — or a Tune —

The Afternoons — together spent —
And Twilight — in the Lanes —
Some ministry to poorer lives —
Seen poorest — thro' our gains —

And then away to You to pass —
A new — diviner — Care —
Till Sunrise take us back to Scene —
Transmuted — Vivider —

This seems a Home — And Home is not —
But what that Place could be —
Afflicts me — as a Setting Sun —
Where Dawn — knows how to be —