He left me on one April day

He left me alone and in pain.

I paced the streets from nine to twelve

Cooled by the gentle rain.

I saw his face in every man

Who passed me on the way.

I almost ran to greet them

And call them by his name.

I walked and walked until I came

To the deep riverside.

I stood upon the bridge and stared

Into the waters wide.

Below me was another world,

A world so free of care,

My desperation made me yearn

To hurl myself down there.

And then a stranger touched my arm

And gently said to me

‘Don’t go there, lady, nothing in

This crazy world is free.

We have to pay a price for love

But dying doesn’t do it.

Turn back and love again, my dear,

I’ll help to pull you through it.’

I turned towards the silent street

I looked and looked in vain,

Who was it touched my arm that night

And walked out in the rain?

I turned away from my bleak thoughts,

Ran home across the park.

And all my life I will recall

The stranger in the dark.