Page:Anthology of Magazine Verse (1921).djvu/83
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SUNLIGHT THROUGH A WINDOW
Beauty streamed into my hand
In sunlight through a pane of glass;
Now at last I understand
Why suns must pass.
In sunlight through a pane of glass;
Now at last I understand
Why suns must pass.
I have held a shadow—cool
Reflection of a burning gold,
And it has been more beautiful
Than hands should hold.
Reflection of a burning gold,
And it has been more beautiful
Than hands should hold.
To that delicate tracery
Of light, a force my lips must name
In whispers of uncertainty,
Has answered through me in a flame.
Of light, a force my lips must name
In whispers of uncertainty,
Has answered through me in a flame.
Beauty is a core of fire
To reaching hands; even its far
Passing leaves a hurt desire
Like a scar.
To reaching hands; even its far
Passing leaves a hurt desire
Like a scar.
TO A DOOR
Door, you stand in your darkened frame
Mindful of your wooden might,
Flaunting relentlessly your claim
As guardian of sound and light.
Mindful of your wooden might,
Flaunting relentlessly your claim
As guardian of sound and light.
Yet for all your vigil, Door,
Shadows that slip on panting feet
Over your threshold tinge the floor
With what was sunlight on the street.
Shadows that slip on panting feet
Over your threshold tinge the floor
With what was sunlight on the street.
And sounds fluttering in to die—
(Door, you thought I should not know!)
Were started by an echo's cry
That was a voice not long ago.
(Door, you thought I should not know!)
Were started by an echo's cry
That was a voice not long ago.
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