Poems on Love
I.
No need to lose your soul to mine.
No need to love me as before.
But l e t me love you evermore
And I shall e’er be thine.
No need to smile tenderly.
No need to say we’ll never part.
No need to take me to your heart,
But let me give to thee.
- (Yesterday)
We saw them walking hand in hand.
Laura touched my sleeve, “you see?”
I smiled, I saw them hand in hand,
He smiled at her and she at him.
Their eyes were full of love.
I knew his hand was strong and warm.
Laura sadly smiled at me.
I remembered then, how kind his hand,
His smile, warm and tender then
When once he smiled at me.
Laura turned to go, “please come.”
And she led me to the door.
I remembered how he led me once,
And left me in the autumn sun-
To face the cold alone.
III.
Happiness, sweet pain
Which lies within my breast,
At times you gently touch my heart
And let it lie at rest.
Yet more oft’ then not
Your ever restless whim
Fills my soul with miscontent
And makes me long for him.
- (Parting, May 9, 59)
No more your soft as moonlight touch
To trace my hair and eyes.
No more your warm and gentle lips,
To press to mine and smile
Away that lonely cavern in my heart.
Gone now the younger hours we spent
Walking arm in arm
Along the narrow upward path.
Gone the dancing steps, like lace
Unraveled to a thread.
Farewell my sweet, my dearest one,
Companion of my soul.
Lonely once again my soul,
Alone, to climb the path alone
Except for memory.
- (Plea)
In the stillness of the night,
The darkness that was yesterday,
When you found the breaking dawn,
Tell me how you found the light.
Help me please. Tell me how
You found the answering hand of morn.
Were the fingers cold or warm?
Tell me. I’m in darkness now.
When you searched the empty night
You found the peace you lost before.
Dare I search on for the day?
Have I strength to view the light?
That for which I’ve most desire,
That, I am afraid to touch.
Though I freeze to death in darkness
I’m afraid to light the fire.
So then, love is gone
Melted like the mountain snows
Slowly in the cool silence
Faster in the warmth of tears
Finally in the heat of anger
Now where do I go?
We found the paths together
You walked with me so long.
Now all I see them strange, forboding.
Where shall I walk?
Shall I retread my way
Or find a new road?
Where will you go?
I know — Straight on,
Never once a backward glance,
While I gaze at you leaving,
Hoping, praying for a pause
A sign of slight regret
Or longing.
So perfect you are that ye must needs be clay,
for who could shape iron with such lack of flaws.
VI.
I have, but little,
But what I have, I give,
A sigh, a tear,
Laughter, a smile,
A gentle hand,
A shoulder, a kiss,
An honest love. . .
Forever.
I ask, but little,
But what I ask I need,
Your hand to hold,
Your tears to dry,
Your arm to lean on,
Your tender love,
To be yours . . .
Forever..