Lord, we certainly do seem to sing from the same hymn book!! :-) If memory serves me, I believe this was my introduction to the works of Akhmatova. I'm not sure under what circumstances this particular one was written, but, I'm always enamoured by the pain she evokes.. Thought you might like it :-) Song of the Last Meeting (1911) My breast grew helplessly cold, But my steps were light. I pulled the glove from my left hand Mistakenly onto my right. It seemed there were so many steps, But I knew there were only three! Amidst the maples an autumn whisper Pleaded: "Die with me! I'm led astray by evil Fate, so black and so untrue." I answered: "I, too, dear one! I, too, will die with you..." This is a song of the final meeting. I glanced at the house's dark frame. Only bedroom candles burning With an indifferent yellow flame.