Silhouettes — The Absinthe Drinker

THE ABSINTHE DRINKER.

GENTLY I wave the visible world away.

Far off, I hear a roar, afar yet near, Far off and strange, a voice is in my ear, And is the voice my own?

the words I say Fall strangely, like a dream, across the day;

And the dim sunshine is a dream.

How clear, New as the world to lovers’ eyes, appear The men and women passing on their way!

The world is very fair.

The hours are all Linked in a dance of mere forgetfulness.

I am at peace with God and man.

O glide, Sands of the hour-glass that I count not, fall Serenely: scarce I feel your soft caress.

Rocked on this dreamy and indifferent tide.