beloved, since you went away
the rooms have all been swept
we're keeping up the home today
as you would have it kept.

the weather now is clear and cool
in garments warm and new
the childre have gone back to school,
as you would have them do.

beloved, as we've often said:
"if first am I to go,
then you must do for me instead
and all my care bestow,
and you must not give way to tears
where smiling friends can see,
but you must do throughout the years
what would be done by me."

beloved, since you've journeyed on
i've found that this is true:
time comes when two who've lived as one,
as one, must live for two.

and so off to bed they go....
since yours they'd surely miss,
the children that you cherised so

...a second time i kiss.