Verse and Reverse (1921)/She Sleeps

This was once a field of clover,
Nodding daisies, swinging stalks;
Butterflies careening over
Paths where fragrant summer walks:
Gloom upon the meadow lingers,
Since the day she went away,
Folded now the daisy fingers,
Chalices of tears are they.

Sighing winds repeat the story,
"She is sleeping! Wait you yet?
Dead is all the former glory.
Go your way! Forget, forget!"

In this place the birds held revel,
Filling it with happy sound,
From the pasture's sunny level
To the wooded hills around;
Now their notes, when night is falling,
Stir my heart with wild regret;
Voices everywhere are calling,
"She is sleeping! Wait you yet?"

Oh, the memories! Oh, the story
Of those times when first we met!
Days of gladness, days of glory!
Would I—if I could—forget?