第1章

ToE。

Ihaverememberedbeautyinthenight,AgainstblacksilencesIwakedtoseeAshowerofsunlightoverItalyAndgreenRavellodreamingonherheight;

Ihaverememberedmusicinthedark,ThecleanswiftbrightnessofafugueofBach’s,AndrunningwatersingingontherocksWhenonceinEnglishwoodsIheardalark。

ButallrememberedbeautyisnomoreThanavaguepreludetothethoughtofyou——

YouaretherarestsoulIeverknew,Loverofbeauty,knightliestandbest;

Mythoughtsseekyouaswavesthatseektheshore,AndwhenIthinkofyou,Iamatrest。

PrefatoryNoteBesidenewpoems,thisbookcontainslyricstakenfrom\"RiverstotheSea\",\"HelenofTroyandOtherPoems\",andoneortwofromanearliervolume。

ContentsI

BarterTwilightNightSongatAmalfiTheLookAWinterNightACryGiftsButNottoMeSongatCapriChild,ChildLoveMePierrotWildAstersTheSongforColinFourWindsDebtFaultsBuriedLoveTheFountainIShallNotCareAfterPartingAPrayerSpringNightMayWindTidesAfterLoveNewLoveandOldTheKissSwansTheRiverNovemberSpringRainTheGhostSummerNight,RiversideJewelsII

Interlude:SongsoutofSorrowI。Spirit’sHouseII。MasteryIII。LessonsIV。WisdomV。InaBuryingGroundVI。WoodSongVII。RefugeIII

TheFlightDewTo—nightEbbTideIWouldLiveinYourLoveBecauseTheTreeofSongTheGiverAprilSongTheWandererTheYearsEnoughComeJoyRichesDuskinWarTimePeaceMoodsHousesofDreamsLights\"IAmNotYours\"

DoubtTheWindMorningOtherMenEmbersMessageTheLampIV

ANovemberNightLoveSongsI

BarterLifehaslovelinesstosell,Allbeautifulandsplendidthings,Bluewaveswhitenedonacliff,Soaringfirethatswaysandsings,Andchildren’sfaceslookingupHoldingwonderlikeacup。

Lifehaslovelinesstosell,Musiclikeacurveofgold,Scentofpinetreesintherain,Eyesthatloveyou,armsthathold,Andforyourspirit’sstilldelight,Holythoughtsthatstarthenight。

Spendallyouhaveforloveliness,Buyitandnevercountthecost;

ForonewhitesinginghourofpeaceCountmanyayearofstrifewelllost,AndforabreathofecstasyGiveallyouhavebeen,orcouldbe。

TwilightDreamilyovertheroofsThecoldspringrainisfalling;

OutinthelonelytreeAbirdiscalling,calling。

SlowlyovertheearthThewingsofnightarefalling;

MyheartlikethebirdinthetreeIscalling,calling,calling。

NightSongatAmalfiIaskedtheheavenofstarsWhatIshouldgivemylove——

Itansweredmewithsilence,Silenceabove。

IaskedthedarkenedseaDownwherethefishersgo——

Itansweredmewithsilence,Silencebelow。

Oh,Icouldgivehimweeping,OrIcouldgivehimsong——

ButhowcanIgivesilence,Mywholelifelong?

TheLookStrephonkissedmeinthespring,Robininthefall,ButColinonlylookedatmeAndneverkissedatall。

Strephon’skisswaslostinjest,Robin’slostinplay,ButthekissinColin’seyesHauntsmenightandday。

AWinterNightMywindow—paneisstarredwithfrost,Theworldisbittercoldto—night,Themooniscruel,andthewindIslikeatwo—edgedswordtosmite。

Godpityallthehomelessones,Thebeggarspacingtoandfro,Godpityallthepoorto—nightWhowalkthelamp—litstreetsofsnow。

MyroomislikeabitofJune,Warmandclose—curtainedfoldonfold,Butsomewhere,likeahomelesschild,Myheartiscryinginthecold。

ACryOh,thereareeyesthathecansee,Andhandstomakehishandsrejoice,ButtomyloverImustbeOnlyavoice。

Oh,therearebreaststobearhishead,Andlipswhereonhislipscanlie,ButImustbetillIamdeadOnlyacry。

GiftsIgavemyfirstlovelaughter,Igavemysecondtears,IgavemythirdlovesilenceThroughalltheyears。

Myfirstlovegavemesinging,Mysecondeyestosee,Butoh,itwasmythirdloveWhogavemysoultome。

ButNottoMeTheAprilnightisstillandsweetWithflowersoneverytree;

Peacecomestothemonquietfeet,Butnottome。

MypeaceishiddeninhisbreastWhereIshallneverbe;

Lovecomesto—nighttoalltherest,Butnottome。

SongatCapriWhenbeautygrowstoogreattobearHowshallIeasemeofitsache,ForbeautymorethanbitternessMakestheheartbreak。

NowwhileIwatchthedreamingseaWithisleslikeflowersagainstherbreast,OnlyonevoiceinalltheworldCouldgivemerest。

Child,ChildChild,child,lovewhileyoucanThevoiceandtheeyesandthesoulofaman;

Neverfearthoughitbreakyourheart——

Outofthewoundnewjoywillstart;

Onlyloveproudlyandgladlyandwell,Thoughlovebeheavenorlovebehell。

Child,child,lovewhileyoumay,Forlifeisshortasahappyday;

Neverfearthethingyoufeel——

Onlybyloveislifemadereal;

Love,forthedeadlysinsareseven,Onlythroughlovewillyouenterheaven。

LoveMeBrown—thrushsingingalldaylongIntheleavesaboveme,TakemylovethisAprilsong,\"Loveme,loveme,loveme!\"

Whenheharkenswhatyousay,Bidhim,lesthemissme,Leavehisworkorleavehisplay,Andkissme,kissme,kissme!

PierrotPierrotstandsinthegardenBeneathawaningmoon,AndonhislutehefashionsAfragilesilvertune。

Pierrotplaysinthegarden,Hethinksheplaysforme,ButIamquiteforgottenUnderthecherrytree。

Pierrotplaysinthegarden,AndalltherosesknowThatPierrotloveshismusic,——

ButIlovePierrot。

WildAstersInthespringIaskedthedaisiesIfhiswordsweretrue,Andtheclever,clear—eyeddaisiesAlwaysknew。

Nowthefieldsarebrownandbarren,Bitterautumnblows,AndofallthestupidastersNotoneknows。

TheSongforColinIsangasongatduskingtimeBeneaththeeveningstar,AndTerencelefthislatestrhymeToanswerfromafar。

Pierrotlaiddownhislutetoweep,Andsighed,\"Shesingsforme。\"

ButColinsleptacarelesssleepBeneathanappletree。

FourWinds\"Fourwindsblowingthroughthesky,Youhaveseenpoormaidensdie,TellmethenwhatIshalldoThatmylovermaybetrue。\"

Saidthewindfromoutthesouth,\"Laynokissuponhismouth,\"

Andthewindfromoutthewest,\"Woundtheheartwithinhisbreast,\"

Andthewindfromouttheeast,\"Sendhimemptyfromthefeast,\"

Andthewindfromoutthenorth,\"Inthetempestthrusthimforth;

Whenthouartmorecruelthanhe,ThenwillLovebekindtothee。\"

DebtWhatdoIowetoyouWholovedmedeepandlong?

YounevergavemyspiritwingsOrgavemyheartasong。

Butoh,tohimIloved,Wholovedmenotatall,IowetheopengateThatledthroughheaven’swall。

FaultsTheycametotellyourfaultstome,Theynamedthemoveronebyone;

Ilaughedaloudwhentheyweredone,Iknewthemallsowellbefore,——

Oh,theywereblind,tooblindtoseeYourfaultshadmademeloveyoumore。

BuriedLoveIhavecometoburyLoveBeneathatree,IntheforesttallandblackWherenonecansee。

Ishallputnoflowersathishead,Norstoneathisfeet,ForthemouthIlovedsomuchWasbittersweet。

Ishallgonomoretohisgrave,Forthewoodsarecold。

IshallgatherasmuchofjoyAsmyhandscanhold。

IshallstayalldayinthesunWherethewidewindsblow,——

Butoh,IshallcryatnightWhennonewillknow。

TheFountainAllthroughthedeepbluenightThefountainsangalone;

ItsangtothedrowsyheartOfthesatyrcarvedinstone。

Thefountainsangandsang,Butthesatyrneverstirred——

OnlythegreatwhitemoonIntheemptyheavenheard。

ThefountainsangandsangWhileonthemarblerimThemilk—whitepeacocksslept,Andtheirdreamswerestrangeanddim。

Brightdewwasonthegrass,Andontheilex,dew,Thedreamymilk—whitebirdsWerealla—glisten,too。

ThefountainsangandsangThethingsonecannottell;

ThedreamingpeacocksstirredAndthegleamingdew—dropsfell。

IShallNotCareWhenIamdeadandovermebrightAprilShakesoutherrain—drenchedhair,Thoughyoushouldleanabovemebroken—hearted,Ishallnotcare。

Ishallhavepeace,asleafytreesarepeacefulWhenrainbendsdownthebough,AndIshallbemoresilentandcold—heartedThanyouarenow。

AfterPartingOh,IhavesownmylovesowideThathewillfinditeverywhere;

Itwillawakehiminthenight,Itwillenfoldhimintheair。

IsetmyshadowinhissightAndIhavewingeditwithdesire,Thatitmaybeacloudbyday,Andinthenightashaftoffire。

APrayerUntilIlosemysoulandlieBlindtothebeautyoftheearth,Deafthoughshoutingwindgoesby,Dumbinastormofmirth;

UntilmyheartisquenchedatlengthAndIhaveleftthelandofmen,Oh,letmelovewithallmystrengthCarelessifIamlovedagain。

SpringNightTheparkisfilledwithnightandfog,Theveilsaredrawnabouttheworld,ThedrowsylightsalongthepathsAredimandpearled。

Goldandgleamingtheemptystreets,Goldandgleamingthemistylake,Themirroredlightslikesunkenswords,Glimmerandshake。

Oh,isitnotenoughtobeHerewiththisbeautyoverme?

Mythroatshouldachewithpraise,andI

Shouldkneelinjoybeneaththesky。

O,beauty,areyounotenough?

WhyamIcryingafterlove,Withyouth,asingingvoice,andeyesTotakeearth’swonderwithsurprise?

WhyhaveIputoffmypride,WhyamIunsatisfied,——

I,forwhomthepensivenightBindshercloudyhairwithlight,——

I,forwhomallbeautyburnsLikeincenseinamillionurns?

Obeauty,areyounotenough?

WhyamIcryingafterlove?

MayWindIsaid,\"IhaveshutmyheartAsoneshutsanopendoor,ThatLovemaystarvethereinAndtroublemenomore。\"

ButovertheroofstherecameThewetnewwindofMay,AndatuneblewupfromthecurbWherethestreet—pianosplay。

MyroomwaswhitewiththesunAndLovecriedoutinme,\"Iamstrong,IwillbreakyourheartUnlessyousetmefree。\"

TidesLoveinmyheartwasafreshtideflowingWherethestarlikeseagullssoar;

ThesunwaskeenandthefoamwasblowingHighontherockyshore。

Butnowintheduskthetideisturning,Lowertheseagullssoar,AndthewavesthatroseinresistlessyearningArebrokenforevermore。

AfterLoveThereisnomagicanymore,Wemeetasotherpeopledo,YouworknomiracleformeNorIforyou。

YouwerethewindandIthesea——

Thereisnosplendoranymore,IhavegrownlistlessasthepoolBesidetheshore。

ButthoughthepoolissafefromstormAndfromthetidehasfoundsurcease,Itgrowsmorebitterthanthesea,Forallitspeace。

NewLoveandOldInmyhearttheoldloveStruggledwiththenew;

ItwasghostlywakingAllnightthrough。

Dearthings,kindthings,Thatmyoldlovesaid,RangedthemselvesreproachfullyRoundmybed。

ButIcouldnotheedthem,ForIseemedtoseeTheeyesofmynewloveFixedonme。

Oldlove,oldlove,HowcanIbetrue?

ShallIbefaithlesstomyselfOrtoyou?

TheKissIhopedthathewouldloveme,Andhehaskissedmymouth,ButIamlikeastrickenbirdThatcannotreachthesouth。

ForthoughIknowhelovesme,To—nightmyheartissad;

HiskisswasnotsowonderfulAsallthedreamsIhad。

SwansNightisoverthepark,andafewbravestarsLookonthelightsthatlinkitwithchainsofgold,ThelakebearsuptheirreflectioninbrokenbarsThatseemtooheavyfortremulouswatertohold。

Wewatchtheswansthatsleepinashadowyplace,Andnowandagainonewakesandupliftsitshead;

Howstillyouare——yourgazeisonmyface——

Wewatchtheswansandneverawordissaid。

TheRiverIcamefromthesunnyvalleysAndsoughtfortheopensea,ForIthoughtinitsgrayexpansesMypeacewouldcometome。

IcameatlasttotheoceanAndfounditwildandblack,AndIcriedtothewindlessvalleys,\"Bekindandtakemeback!\"

Butthethirstytideraninland,Andthesaltwavesdrankofme,AndIwhowasfreshastherainfallAmbitterasthesea。

NovemberTheworldistired,theyearisold,Thefadingleavesaregladtodie,ThewindgoesshiveringwithcoldWherethebrownreedsaredry。

Ourloveisdyinglikethegrass,Andwewhokissedgrowcoldlykind,HalfgladtoseeouroldlovepassLikeleavesalongthewind。

SpringRainIthoughtIhadforgotten,ButitallcamebackagainTo—nightwiththefirstspringthunderInarushofrain。

IrememberedadarkeneddoorwayWherewestoodwhilethestormsweptby,ThundergrippingtheearthAndlightningscrawledonthesky。

Thepassingmotorbussesswayed,Forthestreetwasariverofrain,LashedintolittlegoldenwavesInthelamplight’sstain。

WiththewildspringrainandthunderMyheartwaswildandgay;

YoureyessaidmoretomethatnightThanyourlipswouldeversay……

IthoughtIhadforgotten,ButitallcamebackagainTo—nightwiththefirstspringthunderInarushofrain。

TheGhostIwentbacktotheclangingcity,Iwentbackwheremyoldlovesstayed,Butmyheartwasfullofmynewlove’sglory,Myeyeswerelaughingandunafraid。

ImetonewhohadlovedmemadlyAndtoldhisloveforalltohear——

Butwetalkedofathousandthingstogether,Thepastwasburiedtoodeeptofear。

Imettheother,whoselovewasgivenWithneverakissandscarcelyaword——

Oh,itwasthentheterrortookmeOfwordsunutteredthatbreathedandstirred。

Oh,lovethatlivesitslifewithlaughterOrlovethatlivesitslifewithtearsCandie——butlovethatisneverspokenGoeslikeaghostthroughthewindingyears……

Iwentbacktotheclangingcity,Iwentbackwheremyoldlovesstayed,Myheartwasfullofmynewlove’sglory,——

Butmyeyesweresuddenlyafraid。

SummerNight,RiversideInthewild,softsummerdarknessHowmanyandmanyanightwetwotogetherSatintheparkandwatchedtheHudsonWearingherlightslikegoldenspanglesGlintingonblacksatin。

TherailalongthecurvingpathwayWaslowinahappyplacetoletuscross,AnddownthehillatreethatdrippedwithbloomShelteredus,Whileyourkissesandtheflowers,Falling,falling,Tangledmyhair……

Thefrailwhitestarsmovedslowlyoverthesky。

Andnow,faroffInthefragrantdarknessThetreeistremulousagainwithbloom,ForJunecomesback。

To—nightwhatgirlDreamilybeforehermirrorshakesfromherhairThisyear’sblossoms,clinginginitscoils?

JewelsIfIshouldseeyoureyesagain,Iknowhowfartheirlookwouldgo——

BacktoamorningintheparkWithsapphireshadowsonthesnow。

OrbacktooaktreesinthespringWhenyouunloosedmyhairandkissedTheheadthatlayagainstyourkneesIntheleafshadow’samethyst。

AndstillanothershiningplaceWewouldremember——howthedunWildmountainheldusonitscrestOnediamondmorningwhitewithsun。

ButIwillturnmyeyesfromyouAswomenturntoputawayThejewelstheyhavewornatnightAndcannotwearinsoberday。

II

Interlude:SongsoutofSorrowI。Spirit’sHouseFromnakedstonesofagonyIwillbuildahouseforme;

AsamasonallaloneIwillraiseit,stonebystone,AndeverystonewhereIhavebledWillshowasignofduskyred。

Ihavenotgonethewayinvain,ForIhavegoodofallmypain;

Myspirit’squiethousewillbeBuiltofnakedstonesItrodOnroadswhereIlostsightofGod。

II。MasteryIwouldnothaveagodcomeinToshieldmesuddenlyfromsin,Andsetmyhouseoflifetorights;

NorangelswithbrightburningwingsOrderingmyearthlythoughtsandthings;

RathermyownfrailgutteringlightsWindblownandnearlybeatenout;

RathertheterrorofthenightsAndlong,sickgropingafterdoubt;

RatherbelostthanletmysoulSlipvaguelyfrommyowncontrol——

OfmyownspiritletmebeInsolethoughfeeblemastery。

III。LessonsUnlessIlearntoasknohelpFromanyothersoulbutmine,ToseeknostrengthinwavingreedsNorshadebeneathastragglingpine;

UnlessIlearntolookatGriefUnshrinkingfromhertear—blindeyes,AndtakefromPleasurefearlesslyWhatevergiftswillmakemewise——

UnlessIlearnthesethingsonearth,WhywasIevergivenbirth?

IV。WisdomWhenIhaveceasedtobreakmywingsAgainstthefaultinessofthings,AndlearnedthatcompromiseswaitBehindeachhardlyopenedgate,WhenIcanlookLifeintheeyes,Growncalmandverycoldlywise,LifewillhavegivenmetheTruth,Andtakeninexchange——myyouth。

V。InaBuryingGroundThisisthespotwhereIwilllieWhenlifehashadenoughofme,ThesearethegrassesthatwillblowAbovemelikealivingsea。

ThesegayoldlilieswillnotshrinkTodrawtheirlifefromdeathofmine,AndIwillgivemybody’sfireTomakeblueflowersonthisvine。

\"OSoul,\"Isaid,\"haveyounotears?

Wasnotthebodydeartoyou?\"

Iheardmysoulsaycarelessly,\"Themyrtleflowerswillgrowmoreblue。\"

VI。WoodSongIheardawoodthrushintheduskTwirlthreenotesandmakeastar——

MyheartthatwalkedwithbitternessCamebackfromveryfar。

Threeshiningnoteswereallhehad,Andyettheymadeastarrycall——

IcaughtlifebackagainstmybreastAndkissedit,scarsandall。

VII。RefugeFrommyspirit’sgraydefeat,Frommypulse’sflaggingbeat,FrommyhopesthatturnedtosandSiftingthroughmyclose—clenchedhand,Frommyownfault’sslavery,IfIcansing,Istillamfree。

ForwithmysingingIcanmakeArefugeformyspirit’ssake,Ahouseofshiningwords,tobeMyfragileimmortality。

III

TheFlightLookbackwithlongingeyesandknowthatIwillfollow,Liftmeupinyourloveasalightwindliftsaswallow,Letourflightbefarinsunorblowingrain——

*ButwhatifIheardmyfirstlovecallingmeagain?*

Holdmeonyourheartasthebraveseaholdsthefoam,Takemefarawaytothehillsthathideyourhome;

Peaceshallthatchtheroofandloveshalllatchthedoor——

*ButwhatifIheardmyfirstlovecallingmeoncemore?*

DewAsdewleavesthecobweblightlyThreadedwithstars,ScatteringjewelsonthefenceAndthepasturebars;

AsdawnleavesthedrygrassbrightAndthetangledweedsBearingarainbowgemOneachoftheirseeds;

Sohasyourlove,mylover,Freshasthedawn,MademeashiningroadTotravelon,SeteverycommonsightOftreeorstoneDelicatelyalightFormealone。

To—nightThemoonisacurvingflowerofgold,Theskyisstillandblue;

Themoonwasmadefortheskytohold,AndIforyou。

Themoonisaflowerwithoutastem,Theskyisluminous;

Eternitywasmadeforthem,To—nightforus。

EbbTideWhenthelongdaygoesbyAndIdonotseeyourface,Theoldwild,restlesssorrowStealsfromitshidingplace。

Mydayisbarrenandbroken,Bereftoflightandsong,AseabeachbleakandwindyThatmoansthewholedaylong。

Totheemptybeachatebbtide,Barewithitsrocksandscars,Comebackliketheseawithsinging,Andlightofamillionstars。

IWouldLiveinYourLoveIwouldliveinyourloveasthesea—grassesliveinthesea,Borneupbyeachwaveasitpasses,drawndownbyeachwavethatrecedes;

Iwouldemptymysoulofthedreamsthathavegatheredinme,Iwouldbeatwithyourheartasitbeats,Iwouldfollowyoursoulasitleads。

BecauseOh,becauseyounevertriedTobowmywillorbreakmypride,Andnothingofthecave—manmadeYouwanttokeepmehalfafraid,NoreverwithaconqueringairYouthoughttodrawmeunaware——

Takeme,forIloveyoumoreThanIeverlovedbefore。

Andsincethebody’smaidenhoodAlonewereneitherrarenorgoodUnlesswithitIgavetoyouAspiritstilluntrammeled,too,TakemydreamsandtakemymindThatweremasterlessaswind;

And\"Master!\"IshallsaytoyouSinceyouneveraskedmeto。

TheTreeofSongIsangmysongsfortherest,ForyouIamstill;

ThetreeofmysongisbareOnitsshininghill。

Foryoucamelikealordlywind,AndtheleaveswerewhirledFarasforgottenthingsPasttherimoftheworld。

ThetreeofmysongstandsbareAgainsttheblue——

Igavemysongstotherest,Myselftoyou。

TheGiverYouboundstrongsandalsonmyfeet,Yougavemebreadandwine,Andsentmeundersunandstars,Foralltheworldwasmine。

Oh,takethesandalsoffmyfeet,Youknownotwhatyoudo;

Forallmyworldisinyourarms,Mysunandstarsareyou。

AprilSongWillow,inyourAprilgownDelicateandgleaming,DoyoumindinyearsgonebyAllmydreaming?

SpringwaslikeacalltomeThatIcouldnotanswer,Iwaschainedtoloneliness,I,thedancer。

Willow,twinklinginthesun,Stillyourleavesandhearme,Icananswerspringatlast,Loveisnearme!

TheWandererIsawthesunset—coloredsands,TheNilelikeflowingfirebetween,WhereRamesesstaresforthserene,AndAmmon’sheavytemplestands。

Isawtherockswherelongago,Abovetheseathatcriesandbreaks,SwiftPerseuswithMedusa’ssnakesSetfreethemaidenwhitelikesnow。

Andmanyskieshavecoveredme,Andmanywindshaveblownmeforth,AndIhavelovedthegreen,brightnorth,AndIhavelovedthecold,sweetsea。

Butwhattomearenorthandsouth,Andwhatthelureofmanylands,SinceyouhaveleanedtocatchmyhandsAndlayakissuponmymouth。

TheYearsTo—nightIclosemyeyesandseeAstrangeprocessionpassingme——

TheyearsbeforeIsawyourfaceGobymewithawistfulgrace;

Theypass,thesensitive,shyyears,Asonewhostrivestodance,halfblindwithtears。

TheyearswentbyandneverknewThateachonebroughtmeneareryou;

TheirpathwasnarrowandapartAndyetitledmetoyourheart——

Oh,sensitive,shyyears,oh,lonelyyears,Thatstrovetosingwithvoicesdrownedintears。

EnoughItisenoughformebydayTowalkthesamebrightearthwithhim;

EnoughthatoverusbynightThesamegreatroofofstarsisdim。

IdonothopetobindthewindOrsetafetteronthesea——

ItisenoughtofeelhisloveBlowbylikemusicoverme。

ComeCome,whenthepalemoonlikeapetalFloatsinthepearlyduskofspring,Comewitharmsoutstretchedtotakeme,Comewithlipspurseduptocling。

Come,forlifeisafrailmothflying,Caughtintheweboftheyearsthatpass,Andsoonwetwo,sowarmandeager,Willbeasthegraystonesinthegrass。

JoyIamwild,Iwillsingtothetrees,Iwillsingtothestarsinthesky,Ilove,Iamloved,heismine,NowatlastIcandie!

Iamsandaledwithwindandwithflame,Ihaveheart—fireandsingingtogive,Icantreadonthegrassorthestars,NowatlastIcanlive!

RichesIhavenorichesbutmythoughts,Yetthesearewealthenoughforme;

MythoughtsofyouaregoldencoinsStampedinthemintofmemory;

AndImustspendthemallinsong,Forthoughts,aswellasgold,mustbeLeftonthehithersideofdeathTogaintheirimmortality。

DuskinWarTimeAhalf—hourmoreandyouwillleanTogathermecloseintheoldsweetway——

Butoh,tothewomanovertheseaWhowillcomeatthecloseofday?

Ahalf—hourmoreandIwillhearThekeyinthelatchandthestrong,quicktread——

Butoh,thewomanovertheseaWaitingatduskforonewhoisdead!

PeacePeaceflowsintomeAsthetidetothepoolbytheshore;

Itismineforevermore,Itwillnotebblikethesea。

IamthepoolofblueThatworshipsthevividsky;

Myhopeswereheaven—high,Theyareallfulfilledinyou。

IamthepoolofgoldWhensunsetburnsanddies——

Youaremydeepeningskies;

Givemeyourstarstohold。

MoodsIamthestillrainfalling,Tootiredforsingingmirth——

Oh,bethegreenfieldscalling,Oh,beformetheearth!

IamthebrownbirdpiningToleavethenestandfly——

Oh,bethefreshcloudshining,Oh,beformethesky!

HousesofDreamsYoutookmyemptydreamsAndfilledthemeveryoneWithtendernessandnobleness,Aprilandthesun。

TheoldemptydreamsWheremythoughtswouldthrongArefartoofullofhappinessToevenholdasong。

Oh,theemptydreamsweredimAndtheemptydreamswerewide,TheyweresweetandshadowyhousesWheremythoughtscouldhide。

ButyoutookmydreamsawayAndyoumadethemallcometrue——

Mythoughtshavenoplacenowtoplay,Andnothingnowtodo。

LightsWhenwecomehomeatnightandclosethedoor,Standingtogetherintheshadowyroom,Safeinourownloveandthegentlegloom,Gladoffamiliarwallandchairandfloor,Gladtoleavefarbelowtheclangingcity;

LookingfardownwardtotheglaringstreetGaudywithlight,yettiredwithmanyfeet,Inbothofuswellsupawordlesspity;

Menhavetriedhardtoputawaythedark;

AmillionlightedwindowsbrilliantlyInlaywithsquaresofgoldthewinternight,ButtousstandingheretherecomesthestarkSenseofthelivesbehindeachyellowlight,Andnotonewhollyjoyous,proud,orfree。

\"IAmNotYours\"

Iamnotyours,notlostinyou,Notlost,althoughIlongtobeLostasacandlelitatnoon,Lostasasnowflakeinthesea。

Youloveme,andIfindyoustillAspiritbeautifulandbright,YetIamI,wholongtobeLostasalightislostinlight。

Ohplungemedeepinlove——putoutMysenses,leavemedeafandblind,Sweptbythetempestofyourlove,Ataperinarushingwind。

DoubtMysoullivesinmybody’shouse,Andyouhaveboththehouseandher——

ButsometimessheislessyourownThanawild,gayadventurer;

Arestlessandaneagerwraith,HowcanItellwhatshewilldo——

Oh,Iamsureofmybody’sfaith,Butwhatifmysoulbrokefaithwithyou?

TheWindAwindisblowingovermysoul,Ihearitcrythewholenightthrough——

IstherenopeaceformeonearthExceptwithyou?

Alas,thewindhasmademewise,Overmynakedsoulitblew,——

ThereisnopeaceformeonearthEvenwithyou。

MorningIwentoutonanAprilmorningAllalone,formyheartwashigh,Iwasachildoftheshiningmeadow,Iwasasisterofthesky。

ThereinthewindyfloodofmorningLonginglifteditsweightfromme,Lostasasobinthemidstofcheering,Sweptasasea—birdouttosea。

OtherMenWhenItalkwithothermenIalwaysthinkofyou——

Yourwordsarekeenerthantheirwords,Andtheyaregentler,too。

WhenIlookatothermen,Iwishyourfacewerethere,WithitsgrayeyesanddarkskinAndtossedblackhair。

WhenIthinkofothermen,Dreamingalonebyday,ThethoughtofyoulikeastrongwindBlowsthedreamsaway。

EmbersIsaid,\"MyyouthisgoneLikeafirebeatenoutbytherain,ThatwillneverswayandsingOrplaywiththewindagain。\"

Isaid,\"ItisnogreatsorrowThatquenchedmyyouthinme,ButonlylittlesorrowsBeatingceaselessly。\"

Ithoughtmyyouthwasgone,Butyoureturned——

LikeaflameatthecallofthewindItleapedandburned;

Threwoffitsashencloak,AndgownedanewGaveitselflikeabrideOncemoretoyou。

MessageIheardacryinthenight,Athousandmilesitcame,Sharpasaflashoflight,Myname,myname!

ItwasyourvoiceIheard,Youwakedandlovedmeso——

Isendyoubackthisword,Iknow,Iknow!

TheLampIfIcanbearyourlovelikealampbeforeme,WhenIgodownthelongsteepRoadofDarkness,Ishallnotfeartheeverlastingshadows,Norcryinterror。

IfIcanfindoutGod,thenIshallfindHim,IfnonecanfindHim,thenIshallsleepsoundly,Knowinghowwellonearthyourlovesufficedme,Alampindarkness。

IV

ANovemberNightThere!Seethelineoflights,Achainofstarsdowneithersidethestreet——

Whycan’tyouliftthechainandgiveittome,Anecklaceformythroat?I’dtwistitroundAndyoucouldplaywithit。YousmileatmeAsthoughIwerealittledreamychildBehindwhoseeyesthefairieslive……Andsee,ThepeopleonthestreetlookupatusAllenvious。Weareakingandqueen,Ourroyalcarriageisamotorbus,Wewatchoursubjectswithahaughtyjoy……

Howstillyouare!HaveyoubeenhardatworkAndareyoutiredto—night?ItissolongSinceIhaveseenyou——fourwholedays,Ithink。

MyheartiscrowdedfulloffoolishthoughtsLikeearlyflowersinanAprilmeadow,AndImustgivethemtoyou,allofthem,Beforetheyfade。ThepeopleIhavemet,TheplayIsaw,thetrivial,shiftingthingsThatloomtoobigorshrinktoolittle,shadowsThathurry,gesturingalongawall,Hauntingorgay——andyettheyallgrowrealAndtaketheirpropersizehereinmyheartWhenyouhaveseenthem……There’sthePlazanow,Alakeoflight!To—nightitalmostseemsThatallthelightsaregatheredinyoureyes,Drawnsomehowtowardyou。SeetheopenparkLyingbelowuswithamillionlampsScatteredinwisedisorderlikethestars。

WelookdownonthemasGodmustlookdownOnconstellationsfloatingunderHimTangledinclouds……Come,then,andletuswalkSincewehavereachedthepark。Itisourgarden,Allblackandblossomlessthiswinternight,ButwebringAprilwithus,youandI;

Wesetthewholeworldonthetrailofspring。

IthinkthateverypathweevertookHasmarkedourfootprintsinmysteriousfire,Delicategoldthatonlyfairiessee。

Whentheywakeupatdawninhollowtree—trunksAndcomeoutonthedrowsypark,theylookAlongtheemptypathsandsay,\"Oh,hereTheywent,andhere,andhere,andhere!Come,see,Hereistheirbench,takehandsandletusdanceAboutitinawindyringandmakeAcirclerounditonlytheycancrossWhentheycomebackagain!\"……Lookatthelake——

DoyourememberhowwewatchedtheswansThatnightinlateOctoberwhiletheyslept?

Swansmusthavestatelydreams,Ithink。ButnowThelakebearsonlythinreflectedlightsThatshakealittle。HowIlongtotakeOnefromthecoldblackwater——new—madegoldTogiveyouinyourhand!Andsee,andsee,Thereisastar,deepinthelake,astar!

Oh,dimmerthanapearl——ifyoustoopdownYourhandcouldalmostreachituptome……

Therewasanewfrailyellowmoonto—night——

IwishyoucouldhavehaditforacupWithstarslikedewtofillittothebrim……

Howcolditis!Eventhelightsarecold;

Theyhaveputshawlsoffogaroundthem,see!

WhatiftheairshouldgrowsodimlywhiteThatwewouldloseourwayalongthepathsMadenewbywallsofmovingmistrecedingThemorewefollow……Whatasilvernight!

ThatwasourbenchthetimeyousaidtomeThelongnewpoem——buthowdifferentnow,HoweeriewiththecurtainofthefogMakingitstrangetoallthefriendlytrees!

Thereisnowind,andyetgreatcurvingscrollsCarvethemselves,everchanging,inthemist。

Walkonalittle,letmestandherewatchingToseeyou,too,grownstrangetomeandfar……

IusedtowonderhowtheparkwouldbeIfonenightwecouldhaveitallalone——

Noloverswithclosearm—encircledwaistsTowhisperandbreakinuponourdreams。

Andnowwehaveit!Everywishcomestrue!

Wearealonenowinafleecyworld;

Eventhestarshavegone。Wetwoalone!

[EndofLoveSongs。]

{Asanitemofinteresttothereader,thefollowing,whichwasattheendofthisedition,isincluded。

Onlytheadvertisementforthesameauthorisincluded}。

BythesameauthorRiverstotheSea\"ThereishardlyanotherAmericanwoman—poetwhosepoetryisgenerallyknownandlovedlikethatofSaraTeasdale。`RiverstotheSea’,herlatestvolumeoflyrics,possessesthedelicacyofimagery,theinwardillumination,thehighvisionthatcharacterizethepoetrythatwillendurethetestoftime。\"——`ReviewofReviews’。

\"`RiverstotheSea’isabookofsheerdelight……Hertouchturnseverythingtosong。\"——EdwardJ。Wheeler,in`CurrentOpinion’。

\"SaraTeasdale’slyricshavetheclarity,theprecision,thegraceandfragranceofflowers。\"——HarrietMonroe,in`Poetry’。

\"SaraTeasdalehasageniusforthesong,fortheperfectlyric,inwhichthewordsseemtohavefallenintoplacewithoutartoreffort。\"

——LouisUntermeyer,in`TheChicagoEveningPost’。

\"`RiverstotheSea’isthebestbookofpurelyricsthathasappearedinEnglishsinceA。E。Housman’s`AShropshireLad’。\"

——WilliamMarionReedy,in`TheMirror’。

\"`RiverstotheSea’isthemostbeautifulbookofpurelyricsthathascometomyhandinyears。\"——`LosAngelesGraphic’。

\"SaraTeasdalesingsaboutlovebetterthananyothercontemporaryAmericanpoet。\"——`TheBostonTranscript’。

\"`RiverstotheSea’isthemostcharmingvolumeofpoetrythathasappearedoneithersideoftheAtlanticinascoreofyears。\"——`St。LouisRepublic’。

SaraTeasdale(1884—1933):

TeasdalewasborninSt。Louis,Missouri,wheresheattendedaschoolthatwasfoundedbythegrandfatherofanothergreatpoetfromSt。Louis——

T。S。Eliot。ShelaterassociatedherselfmorewithNewYorkCity。

Herfirstbookofpoemswas\"SonnetstoDuse\"(1907),[atleastonepoeminthecurrentvolume,\"Faults\",isfromthisbook,]

but\"HelenofTroy\"(1911)wasthetruelaunchofhercareer,followedby\"RiverstotheSea\"(1915),\"LoveSongs\"(1917),\"FlameandShadow\"(1920)andmore。Herfinalvolume,\"StrangeVictory\",isconsideredbymanytobepredictiveofhersuicidein1933。