When the October wind stole in

When the October wind stole in
To wake me in my chamber cool,
With dancing sunlight on the wall,
From the still vestibule

Fluttered a sound like rustling leaves,
Or the just-heard departing stir
Of silk, a hint of presence gone,
A waft of lavender.

I saw upon my arms strange marks,
Traced when my eyes were unaware,
Like petal-stains of some green rose
Or faint kiss-bruises there;

And wondered, as there came the sad
Eternal whisper of the sea,
Which one of all my pale dead loves
Had spent the night with me.