bySaraTeasdaleToE。
\"Recoislaflammeoul’ombreDetousmesjours。\"
ContentsI
BlueSquillsStars\"WhatDoICare？\"
MeadowlarksDriftwood\"IHaveLovedHoursatSea\"
AugustMoonriseMemoriesII
PlacesOldTunes\"OnlyinSleep\"
RedbirdsSunset：St。LouisTheCoinTheVoiceIII
DayandNightCompensationIRemembered\"OhYouAreComing\"
TheReturnGrayEyesTheNetTheMysteryInaHospitalIV
OpenWindowsTheNewMoonEightO’ClockLostThingsPainTheBrokenFieldTheUnseenAPrayerV
SpringTorrents\"IKnowtheStars\"
UnderstandingNightfall\"ItIsNotaWord\"
\"MyHeartIsHeavy\"
TheNightsRemember\"LetItBeForgotten\"
TheDarkCupVI
MayDay\"SinceThereIsNoEscape\"
\"TheDreamsofMyHeart\"
\"ALittleWhile\"
TheGardenTheWineInaCubanGarden\"IfIMustGo\"
VII
InSpring，SantaBarbaraWhiteFogArcturusMoonlightMorningSongGrayFogBellsLovelyChanceVIII
\"ThereWillComeSoftRains\"
InaGardenNahantWinterStarsABoyWinterDuskBytheSeaIX
TheUnchangingJuneNight\"LikeBarleyBending\"
\"OhDayofFireandSun\"
\"IThoughtofYou\"
OntheDunesSprayIfDeathIsKindX
ThoughtsFacesEvening：NewYorkSnowfallTheSilentBattleTheSanctuaryAtSeaDustTheLongHillXI
SummerStormIntheEnd\"ItWillNotChange\"
ChangeWaterLilies\"DidYouNeverKnow？\"
TheTreasureTheStormSongsForMyselfXII
TheTreeAtMidnightSongMakingAloneRedMaplesDebtorTheWindintheHemlockFlameandShadowI
BlueSquillsHowmanymillionAprilscameBeforeIeverknewHowwhiteacherryboughcouldbe，Abedofsquills，howblue！
AndmanyadancingAprilWhenlifeisdonewithme，WilllifttheblueflameoftheflowerAndthewhiteflameofthetree。
Ohburnmewithyourbeauty，then，Ohhurtme，treeandflower，LestintheenddeathtrytotakeEventhisglisteninghour。
Oshakenflowers，Oshimmeringtrees，Osunlitwhiteandblue，Woundme，thatI，throughendlesssleep，Maybearthescarofyou。
StarsAloneinthenightOnadarkhillWithpinesaroundmeSpicyandstill，AndaheavenfullofstarsOvermyhead，WhiteandtopazAndmistyred；
MyriadswithbeatingHeartsoffireThataeonsCannotvexortire；
UpthedomeofheavenLikeagreathill，IwatchthemmarchingStatelyandstill，AndIknowthatI
AmhonoredtobeWitnessOfsomuchmajesty。
\"WhatDoICare？\"
WhatdoIcare，inthedreamsandthelanguorofspring，Thatmysongsdonotshowmeatall？
Fortheyareafragrance，andIamaflintandafire，Iamananswer，theyareonlyacall。
ButwhatdoIcare，forlovewillbeoversosoon，Letmyhearthaveitssayandmymindstandidlyby，Formymindisproudandstrongenoughtobesilent，Itismyheartthatmakesmysongs，notI。
MeadowlarksInthesilverlightafterastorm，Underdrippingboughsofbrightnewgreen，ItakethelowpathtohearthemeadowlarksAloneandhigh—heartedasifIwereaqueen。
WhathaveItofearinlifeordeathWhohaveknownthreethings：thekissinthenight，Thewhiteflyingjoywhenasongisborn，Andmeadowlarkswhistlinginsilverlight。
DriftwoodMyforefathersgavemeMyspirit’sshakenflame，Theshapeofhands，thebeatofheart，Thelettersofmyname。
Butitwasmylovers，Andnotmysleepingsires，WhogavetheflameitschangefulAndiridescentfires；
AsthedriftwoodburningLearneditsjewelledblazeFromthesea’sbluesplendorOfcolorednightsanddays。
\"IHaveLovedHoursatSea\"
Ihavelovedhoursatsea，graycities，Thefragilesecretofaflower，Music，themakingofapoemThatgavemeheavenforanhour；
Firststarsaboveasnowyhill，Voicesofpeoplekindlyandwise，Andthegreatlookoflove，longhidden，Foundatlastinmeetingeyes。
Ihavelovedmuchandbeenloveddeeply——
Ohwhenmyspirit’sfireburnslow，Leavemethedarknessandthestillness，Ishallbetiredandgladtogo。
AugustMoonriseThesunwasgone，andthemoonwascomingOvertheblueConnecticuthills；
Thewestwasrosy，theeastwasflushed，AndovermyheadtheswallowsrushedThiswayandthat，withchangefulwills。
IheardthemtwitterandwatchedthemdartNowtogetherandnowapartLikedarkpetalsblownfromatree；
ThemaplesstampedagainstthewestWereblackandstatelyandfullofrest，AndthehazyorangemoongrewupAndslowlychangedtoyellowgoldWhilethehillsweredarkened，foldonfoldToadeeperbluethanaflowercouldhold。
DownthehillIwent，andthenIforgotthewaysofmen，Fornight—scents，heady，anddampandcoolWakenedecstasyinmeOnthebrinkofashiningpool。
OBeauty，outofmanyacupYouhavemademedrunkandwildEversinceIwasachild，ButwhenhaveIbeensureasnowThatnobitternesscanbendAndnosorrowwhollybowOnewholovesyoutotheend？
AndthoughImustgivemybreathAndmylaughteralltodeath，Andmyeyesthroughwhichjoycame，Andmyheart，awaveringflame；
IfallmustleavemeandgobackAlongablindandfearfultrackSothatyoucanmakeanew，Fusingwithintenserfire，Somethingneareryourdesire；
IfmysoulmustgoaloneThroughacoldinfinity，Orevenifitvanish，too，Beauty，Ihaveworshippedyou。
LetthissinglehouratoneForthetheftofallofme。
MemoriesII
PlacesPlacesIlovecomebacktomelikemusic，HushmeandhealmewhenIamverytired；
IseetheoakwoodsatSaxton’sflamingInaflareofcrimsonbythefrostnewlyfired；
AndIamthirstyforthespringinthevalleyAsforakissungivenandlongdesired。
IknowabrightworldofsnowyhillsatBoonton，Ablueandwhitedazzlinglightoneverythingonesees，Theice—coveredbranchesofthehemlockssparkleBendinglowandtinklinginthesharpthinbreeze，Andiridescentcrystalsfallandcrackleonthesnow—crustWiththewintersundrawingcoldblueshadowsfromthetrees。
Violetnow，inveilonveilofeveningThehillsacrossfromCromwellgrowdreamyandfar；
Awood—thrushissingingsoftasaviolIntheheartofthehollowwherethedarkpoolsare；
TheprimrosehasopenedherpaleyellowflowersAndheavenislightingstarafterstar。
PlacesIlovecomebacktomelikemusic——
Mid—ocean，midnight，thewavesbuzzdrowsily；
Intheship’sdeepchurningtheeeriephosphorescenceIslikethesoulsofpeoplewhoweredrownedatsea，AndIcanhearaman’svoice，speaking，hushed，insistent，Atmidnight，inmid—ocean，houronhourtome。
OldTunesAsthewavesofperfume，heliotrope，rose，Floatinthegardenwhennowindblows，Cometous，gofromus，whencenooneknows；
Sotheoldtunesfloatinmymind，Andgofrommeleavingnotracebehind，Likefragranceborneonthehushofthewind。
ButintheinstanttheairsremainIknowthelaughterandthepainOftimesthatwillnotcomeagain。
ItrytocatchatmanyatuneLikepetalsoflightfallenfromthemoon，Brokenandbrightonadarklagoon，Buttheyfloataway——forwhocanholdYouth，orperfumeorthemoon’sgold？
\"OnlyinSleep\"
OnlyinsleepIseetheirfaces，ChildrenIplayedwithwhenIwasachild，Louisecomesbackwithherbrownhairbraided，Anniewithringletswarmandwild。
OnlyinsleepTimeisforgotten——
Whatmayhavecometothem，whocanknow？
Yetweplayedlastnightaslongago，Andthedoll—housestoodattheturnofthestair。
Theyearshadnotsharpenedtheirsmoothroundfaces，Imettheireyesandfoundthemmild——
Dothey，too，dreamofme，Iwonder，AndforthemamItooachild？
RedbirdsRedbirds，redbirds，Longandlongago，Whatahoney—callyouhadInhillsIusedtoknow；
Redbud，buckberry，Wildplum—treeAndproudriversweepingSouthwardtothesea，BrownandgoldinthesunSparklingfarbelow，TrailingstatelyroundherbluffsWherethepoplarsgrow——
Redbirds，redbirds，AreyousingingstillAsyousangoneMaydayOnSaxton’sHill？
Sunset：St。LouisHushedinthesmokyhazeofsummersunset，WhenIcamehomeagainfromfar—offplaces，HowmanytimesIsawmywesterncityDreambyherriver。
ThenforanhourthewaterworeamantleOftawnygoldandmauveandmistedturquoiseUnderthetallanddarkenedarchesbearingGray，high—flungbridges。
Againstthesunset，water—towersandsteeplesFlickeredwithfireuptheslopetowestward，AndoldwarehousespouredtheirpurpleshadowsAcrossthelevee。
Highoverthemtheblacktrainsweptwiththunder，Cleavingthecity，leavingfarbeneathitWharf—boatsmooredbesidetheoldside—wheelersRestingintwilight。
TheCoinIntomyheart’streasuryIslippedacoinThattimecannottakeNorathiefpurloin，——
OhbetterthanthemintingOfagold—crownedkingIsthesafe—keptmemoryOfalovelything。
TheVoiceAtomsasoldasstars，Mutationonmutation，MillionsandmillionsofcellsDividingyetstillthesame，Fromairandchangingearth，FromancientEasternrivers，Fromturquoisetropicseas，UntomyselfIcame。
MyspiritlikemyfleshSprangfromathousandsources，Fromcave—man，hunterandshepherd，FromKarnak，Cyprus，Rome；
ThelivingthoughtsinmeSpringfromdeadmenandwomen，ForgottentimeoutofmindAndmanyasbubblesoffoam。
Hereforamoment’sspaceIntothelightoutofdarkness，IcomeandtheycomewithmeFindingwordswithmybreath；
Fromthewisdomofmanylife—timesIhearthemcry：\"ForeverSeekforBeauty，sheonlyFightswithmanagainstDeath！\"
III
DayandNightInWarsawinPolandHalftheworldaway，TheoneIlovebestofallThoughtofmeto—day；
Iknow，forIwentWingedasabird，InthewideflowingwindHisownvoiceIheard；
HisarmswereroundmeInafernyplace，IlookedinthepoolAndtherewashisface——
ButnowitisnightAndthecoldstarssay：
\"WarsawinPolandIshalftheworldaway。\"
CompensationIshouldbegladoflonelinessAndhoursthatgoonbrokenwings，Athirstybody，atiredheartAndtheunchangingacheofthings，IfIcouldmakeasinglesongAslovelyandasfulloflight，AshushedandbriefasafallingstarOnawinternight。
IRememberedThereneverwasamoodofmine，Gayorheart—broken，luminousordull，ButyoucouldeasemeofitsfeverAndgiveitbacktomemorebeautiful。
InmanyanothersoulIbrokethebread，Anddrankthewineandplayedthehappyguest，ButIwaslonely，Irememberedyou；
Theheartbelongstohimwhoknewitbest。
\"OhYouAreComing\"
Ohyouarecoming，coming，coming，HowwillhungryTimeputbythehourstillthen？——
ButwhydoesitangermyhearttolongsoForonemanoutoftheworldofmen？
OhIwouldliveinmyselfonlyAndbuildmylifelightlyandstillasadream——
ArenotmythoughtsclearerthanyourthoughtsAndcoloredlikestonesinarunningstream？
Nowtheslowmoonbrightensinheaven，Thestarsareready，thenightishere——
OhwhymustIlosemyselftoloveyou，Mydear？
TheReturnHehascome，heishere，Mylovehascomehome，TheminutesarelighterThanflyingfoam，ThehoursarelikedancersOngold—slipperedfeet，ThedaysareyoungrunnersNakedandfleet——
Formylovehasreturned，Heishome，heishere，InthewholeworldnootherIsdearasmydear！
GrayEyesItwasAprilwhenyoucameThefirsttimetome，AndmyfirstlookinyoureyesWaslikemyfirstlookatthesea。
WehavebeentogetherFourAprilsnowWatchingforthegreenOntheswayingwillowbough；
YetwheneverIturnToyourgrayeyesoverme，ItisasthoughIlookedForthefirsttimeatthesea。
TheNetImadeyoumanyandmanyasong，Yetneveronetoldallyouare——
ItwasasthoughanetofwordsWereflungtocatchastar；
ItwasasthoughIcurvedmyhandAnddippedsea—watereagerly，OnlytofinditlosttheblueDarksplendorofthesea。
TheMysteryYoureyesdrinkofme，Lovemakesthemshine，YoureyesthatleanSoclosetomine。
Wehavelongbeenlovers，WeknowtherangeOfeachother’smoodsAndhowtheychange；
ButwhenwelookAteachothersoThenwefeelHowlittleweknow；
Thespiriteludesus，Timidandfree——
CanIeverknowyouOryouknowme？
InaHospitalIV
OpenWindowsOutofthewindowaseaofgreentreesLifttheirsoftboughslikethearmsofadancer，Theybeckonandcallme，\"Comeoutinthesun！\"
ButIcannotanswer。
IamalonewithWeaknessandPain，SickabedandJuneisgoing，Icannotkeepher，shehurriesbyWiththesilver—greenofhergarmentsblowing。
MenandwomenpassinthestreetGladoftheshiningsapphireweather，Butweknowmoreofitthanthey，PainandItogether。
Theyaretherunnersinthesun，Breathlessandblindedbytherace，ButwearewatchersintheshadeWhospeakwithWonderfacetoface。
TheNewMoonDay，youhavebruisedandbeatenme，Asrainbeatsdownthebright，proudsea，Beatenmybody，bruisedmysoul，Leftmenothinglovelyorwhole——
YetIhavewrestedagiftfromyou，Daythatdiesinduskyblue：
ForsuddenlyoverthefactoriesIsawamooninthecloudyseas——
AwispofbeautyallaloneInaworldashardandgrayasstone——
OhwhocouldbebitterandwanttodieWhenamaidenmoonwakesupinthesky？
EightO’ClockSuppercomesatfiveo’clock，Atsix，theeveningstar，Mylovercomesateighto’clock——
Buteighto’clockisfar。
HowcouldIbearmypainalldayUnlessIwatchedtoseeTheclock—handslaboringtobringEighto’clocktome。
LostThingsOh，Icouldlettheworldgoby，Itsloudnewwondersanditswars，ButhowwillIgiveuptheskyWhenwinterduskissetwithstars？
AndIcouldletthecitiesgo，Theirchangingcustomsandtheircreeds，——
Butoh，thesummerrainsthatblowInsilveronthejewel—weeds！
PainWavesarethesea’swhitedaughters，Andraindropsthechildrenofrain，ButwhyformyshimmeringbodyHaveIamotherlikePain？
Nightisthemotherofstars，Andwindthemotheroffoam——
Theworldisbrimmingwithbeauty，ButImuststayathome。
TheBrokenFieldMysoulisadarkploughedfieldInthecoldrain；
MysoulisabrokenfieldPloughedbypain。
WheregrassandbendingflowersWeregrowing，ThefieldliesbrokennowForanothersowing。
GreatSowerwhenyoutreadMyfieldagain，ScatterthefurrowsthereWithbettergrain。
TheUnseenDeathwentupthehallUnseenbyeveryone，TrailingtwilightrobesPastthenurseandthenun。
HepausedateverydoorAndlistenedtothebreathOfthosewhodidnotknowHowneartheyweretoDeath。
DeathwentupthehallUnseenbynurseandnun；
Hepassedbymanyadoor——
Butheenteredone。
APrayerWhenIamdying，letmeknowThatIlovedtheblowingsnowAlthoughitstunglikewhips；
ThatIlovedalllovelythingsAndItriedtotaketheirstingsWithgayunembitteredlips；
ThatIlovedwithallmystrength，Tomysoul’sfulldepthandlength，Carelessifmyheartmustbreak，ThatIsangaschildrensingFittingtunestoeverything，Lovinglifeforitsownsake。
V
SpringTorrentsWillitalwaysbelikethisuntilIamdead，EveryspringmustIbearitallagainWiththefirstredhazeofthebuddingmapleboughs，Andthefirstsweet—smellingrain？
OhIamlikearockintherisingriverWherethefloodedwaterbreakswithalowcall——
LikearockthatknowsthecryofthewatersAndcannotansweratall。
\"IKnowtheStars\"
Iknowthestarsbytheirnames，Aldebaran，Altair，AndIknowthepaththeytakeUpheaven’sbroadbluestair。
IknowthesecretsofmenBythelookoftheireyes，Theirgraythoughts，theirstrangethoughtsHavemademesadandwise。
ButyoureyesaredarktomeThoughtheyseemtocallandcall——
IcannottellifyoulovemeOrdonotlovemeatall。
Iknowmanythings，Buttheyearscomeandgo，IshalldienotknowingThethingIlongtoknow。
UnderstandingIunderstoodtheresttoowell，AndalltheirthoughtshavecometobeClearasgreysea—weedintheswellOfasunnyshallowsea。
ButyouIneverunderstood，Yourspirit’ssecrethideslikegoldSunkinaSpanishgalleonAgesagoinwaterscold。
NightfallWewillneverwalkagainAsweusedtowalkatnight，WatchingourshadowslengthenUnderthegoldstreet—lightWhenthesnowwasnewandwhite。
WewillneverwalkagainSlowly，wetwo，InspringwhentheparkissweetWithmidnightandwithdew，Andthepassers—byarefew。
Isitandthinkofitall，AndtheblueJunetwilightdies，——
DownintheclangingsquareAstreet—pianocriesAndstarscomeoutintheskies。
\"ItIsNotaWord\"
Itisnotawordspoken，Fewwordsaresaid；
NorevenalookoftheeyesNorabendofthehead，ButonlyahushoftheheartThathastoomuchtokeep，OnlymemorieswakingThatsleepsolightasleep。
\"MyHeartIsHeavy\"
MyheartisheavywithmanyasongLikeripefruitbearingdownthetree，ButIcannevergiveyouone——
Mysongsdonotbelongtome。
Yetintheevening，intheduskWhenmothsgotoandfro，Inthegrayhourifthefruithasfallen，Takeit，noonewillknow。
TheNightsRememberThedaysrememberandthenightsrememberThekinglyhoursthatonceyoumadesogreat，Deepinmyhearttheylie，hiddenintheirsplendor，Buriedlikesovereignsintheirrobesofstate。
Letthemnotwakeagain，bettertoliethere，Wrappedinmemories，jewelledandarrayed——
Manyaghostlykinghaswakedfromdeath—sleepAndfoundhiscrownstolenandhisthronedecayed。
\"LetItBeForgotten\"
Letitbeforgotten，asaflowerisforgotten，Forgottenasafirethatoncewassinginggold，Letitbeforgottenforeverandever，Timeisakindfriend，hewillmakeusold。
Ifanyoneasks，sayitwasforgottenLongandlongago，Asaflower，asafire，asahushedfootfallInalongforgottensnow。
TheDarkCupVI
MayDayAdelicatefabricofbirdsongFloatsintheair，ThesmellofwetwildearthIseverywhere。
RedsmallleavesofthemapleAreclenchedlikeahand，LikegirlsattheirfirstcommunionThepeartreesstand。
OhImustpassnothingbyWithoutlovingitmuch，Theraindroptrywithmylips，Thegrasswithmytouch；
ForhowcanIbesureIshallseeagainTheworldonthefirstofMayShiningaftertherain？
\"SinceThereIsNoEscape\"
Sincethereisnoescape，sinceattheendMybodywillbeutterlydestroyed，ThishandIloveasIhavelovedafriend，ThisbodyItended，weptwithandenjoyed；
SincethereisnoescapeevenformeWholovelifewithalovetoosharptobear：
Thescentoforchardsintherain，theseaAndhoursalonetoostillandsureforprayer——
Sincedarknesswaitsforme，thenallthemoreLetmegodownaswavessweeptotheshoreInpride；andletmesingwithmylastbreath；
InthesefewhoursoflightIliftmyhead；
Lifeismylover——IshallleavethedeadIfthereisanywaytobaffledeath。
\"TheDreamsofMyHeart\"
Thedreamsofmyheartandmymindpass，Nothingstayswithmelong，ButIhavehadfromachildThedeepsolaceofsong；
Ifthatshouldeverleaveme，LetmefinddeathandstayWiththingswhosetunesareplayedoutandforgottenLiketherainofyesterday。
\"ALittleWhile\"
AlittlewhilewhenIamgoneMylifewillliveinmusicafterme，AsspunfoamliftedandborneonAfterthewaveislostinthefullsea。
AwhilethesenightsanddayswillburnInsongwiththebrightfrailtyoffoam，LivinginlightbeforetheyturnBacktothenothingnessthatistheirhome。
TheGardenMyheartisagardentiredwithautumn，Heapedwithbendingastersanddahliasheavyanddark，Inthehazysunshine，thegardenremembersApril，Thedrenchofrainsandasnow—dropquickandclearasaspark；
Daffodilsblowinginthecoldwindofmorning，Andgoldentulips，gobletsholdingtherain——
Thegardenwillbehushedwithsnow，forgottensoon，forgotten——
Afterthestillness，willspringcomeagain？
TheWineIcannotdie，whodrankdelightFromthecupofthecrescentmoon，Andhungrilyasmeneatbread，LovedthescentednightsofJune。
Therestmaydie——butistherenotSomeshiningstrangeescapeformeWhosoughtinBeautythebrightwineOfimmortality？
InaCubanGardenHibiscusflowersarecupsoffire，（Loveme，mylover，lifewillnotstay）
Thebrightpoinsettiashakesinthewind，Ascarletleafisblowingaway。
Alizardliftshisheadandlistens——
Kissmebeforethenoongoesby，HereintheshadeoftheceibahidemeFromthegreatblackvulturecirclingthesky。
\"IfIMustGo\"
IfImustgotoheaven’sendClimbingtheageslikeastair，BenearmeandforeverbendWiththesameeyesabovemethere；
Timewillflypastuslikeleavesflying，Weshallnotheed，forweshallbeBeyondliving，beyonddying，Knowingandknownunchangeably。