In Those Days

In those days-they were long ago-

The snow was cold, the night was black.

I licked from my cracked lips

A snowflake, as I looked back

Through branches, the last uneasy snow.

Your shadow, there in the light, was still.

In a little the light went out.

I went on, stumbling, till at last the hill

Hid the house. And, yawning,

In bed in my room, alone,

I would look out: over the quilted

Rooftops, the clear stars shone.

How poor and miserable we were,

How seldom together!

And yet after so long one drinks:

In those days everything was better.

Choose an appropriate synonym of the word 'seldom'.