I never knew how cold the midnight river
Down where the great ships sail,
Till on the bridge I saw you run and shiver,
And snatched you from the rail,

A waif, a stranger: and you turned on me
With desperate hurt eyes,
As one who'd robbed you of the ancient sea
Where dead all sorrow lies.

I led you back, and in a near café,
Under stale yellow light,
I heard your story and bewildered stray
Verses of yours that night.

And now though love and song are yours, as never,
With vast white days in store,
I had not known how cold and black the river …
And shudder now yet more.