Restored , Returned

Warm are the still and lucky miles,
White shores of longing stretch away,
The light of recognition fills
The whole great day, and bright

The tiny world of lover's arms.

Silence invades the breathing wood

Where drowsy limbs a treasure keep,

Now greenly falls the learned shade

Across the sleeping brows

And stirs their secret to a smile.

Restored! Returned! the lost are borne

On seas of shipwreck home at last:

See! in the fire of praising burns

The dry dumb past, and we

The life -day long shall part no more.

W.H. Auden