ASTRA CAELI
Over the Carib Sea to-night
The stars hang low and near
From the inexplicable dome,—
Nearer, more close to sight,
Than from the skies which bound the stern gray sea
That girts our northern home.
Aftward the sister Crosses be,
And yonder to the lee
One burning cresset glows—a sphere
With light beyond a new moon's rays,
As if some world of vanished souls shone clear
And straight before our gaze.
Were now his spirit bright,—
Not veiled, nor dumb,—
My brother's, with the smile of years ago,
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