(In which two silent people think and know
               they think the same thoughts)

Loose the door tonight, and stand
Facing winter’s bitter pause
In the empty autumn land…
Ravished orchards and the wind.

Leave this house at last, that was
Just a fortress barred and fenced
For our fear to fling against.

Built to bar outside some foe
Neither of us wants to know;

Still for all our saying so,
Still through little bolts and locks
Both listening when one knocks…

Or shall we call him up now — call
When earth’s open and moon white
On an empty noiseless night.

(Then to judge him very slow,
Then to steal and come tiptoe
Where the bolts are fastened tight,
And to find the other one
Putting out an icy hand
In the dark, upon the chain…)

Are you outside now, or in?
When will the beating, there, begin? —
That strange noise that happens nearly
Every night the moon comes clearly.

Shall we give up now, or hold
Our forever on the cold?

Is there anyone out there?
Mocking, mocking — only air;
No real person. Stare and stare.

People with pale faces — see
The walking ghosts we dare not be
Put outside and banished. We

Both are banished, both outside
Next the bast antagonist
Beating with a secret fist
On the panel of our pride,

Beating with a frantic hand
On the panel, pleading for
Leave to splinter down the door.

There is no antagonist.
No one comes. No one cares
If we wall ourselves with airs
Built of terror. No one takes
Notice how the tower shakes.
Guilty we, divided by
Each the other, see the four
People pushing at the door.

Keep the secrets separate.
Either, — both of us will wait,
While both take the other role,
Bring assault on the mutual soul;
Each assigned the part outside,
And the role Antagonist.
Taking turns, each, leaving one
Always walled to tread and moan.

(Beating with a secret fist
On the panel of our pride.
Beating with a frantic hand
On the panel, pleading for
Leave to splinter down the door.)