Page:Anthology of Magazine Verse (1921).djvu/102
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IV
Once I cried a little cry,
Nor wiped the tears away;
And bitter was the taste of them
The long, long day.
Nor wiped the tears away;
And bitter was the taste of them
The long, long day.
Oh, but that was long ago!
To-day I sit apart
And smile and watch young laughter run
About my heart!
To-day I sit apart
And smile and watch young laughter run
About my heart!
V
I cannot bear to hear the grasses sing!
Their tiny fingers press the notes of grief
Where apple blossoms pinkly sway and swing
And nod to each uncurling, greening leaf.
Their tiny fingers press the notes of grief
Where apple blossoms pinkly sway and swing
And nod to each uncurling, greening leaf.
I cannot bear to hear the grasses sing!
Nor watch them tiptoe on the sun-sweet ground,
For, oh, I know how their small hands will cling
Upon the earth that is my body's mound!
Nor watch them tiptoe on the sun-sweet ground,
For, oh, I know how their small hands will cling
Upon the earth that is my body's mound!
VI
If I am quiet, when the twilight comes,
My dead love I will see;
Like breathless whisper in a lilac bloom
My love will come to me.
My dead love I will see;
Like breathless whisper in a lilac bloom
My love will come to me.
If I am quiet, all the lapis night,
My love will be my guest;
But, oh, that she may never touch my hand
Nor lean against my breast!
My love will be my guest;
But, oh, that she may never touch my hand
Nor lean against my breast!
VII
My feet are shod in golden shoes,
That glimmer in the sun,
With lacings made of sweet delight
And laughter's fun.
That glimmer in the sun,
With lacings made of sweet delight
And laughter's fun.
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