They never saw my lover’s face,

Do you mind in years gone byAll my dreaming?Spring was like a call to meThat I could not answer,I was chained to loneliness,I, the dancer.Willow, twinkling in the sun,Still your leaves and hear me,I can answer spring at last,Love is near me!

And hungrily as men eat bread,Loved the scented nights of June.The rest may die—but is there notSome shining strange escape for meWho sought in Beauty the bright wineOf immortality?

And saw it lift against the skyIts flower of amber light.You talked of half a hundred things,I kept each little word you said;And when at last the hour was full,I saw the light turn red.You did not know the time had come,You did not see the sudden flower,Nor know that in my heart Love’s birthWas…

That he has left no word of singing fireWhereby you waked the dreaming Lesbian wind,And kindled night along the lyric shore?O girl whose lips Erato stooped to kiss,Do you go sorrowing because of thisIn fields where poets sing forevermore?Or are you glad and is it best to beA silent music men have never heard,A dream…

Blue waves whitened on a cliff,Soaring fire that sways and sings,And children’s faces looking up,Holding wonder like a cup.Life has loveliness to sell,Music like the curve of gold,Scent of pine trees in the rain,Eyes that love you, arms that hold,And for your spirit’s still delight,Holy thoughts that star the night.Spend all you have for loveliness,Buy…

In the forest tall and blackWhere none can see.I shall put no flowers at his head,Nor stone at his feet,For the mouth I loved so muchWas bittersweet.I shall go no more to his grave,For the woods are cold.I shall gather as much of joyAs my hands can hold.I shall stay all day in the sunWhere…