VII
InSpring，SantaBarbaraIhavebeenhappytwoweekstogether，Myloveiscominghometome，GoldandsilveristheweatherAndsmoothaslapisisthesea。
TheearthhasturneditsbrowntogreenAfterthreenightsofhummingrain，AndinthevalleyspeckandpreenLinnetswithascarletstain。
HighinthemountainsallaloneThewildswanswhistleonthelakes，ButIhavebeenasstillasstone，Myheartsingsonlywhenitbreaks。
WhiteFogHeaven—invadinghillsaredrownedInwidemovingwavesofmist，PhloxbeforemydoorarewoundIndrippingwreathsofamethyst。
TenfeetawaythesolidearthChangesintomeltingcloud，Thereisahushofpainandmirth，Nobirdhashearttospeakaloud。
Hereinaworldwithoutasky，Withouttheground，withoutthesea，TheoneunchangingthingisI，Myselfremainstocomfortme。
ArcturusArcturusbringsthespringbackAssurelynowaswhenHeroseoneasternislandsForGreciangirlsandmen；
Thetwilightisasclearablue，Thestarasshakenandasbright，AndthesamethoughthegavetothemHegivestometo—night。
MoonlightItwillnothurtmewhenIamold，ArunningtidewheremoonlightburnedWillnotstingmelikesilversnakes；
Theyearswillmakemesadandcold，Itisthehappyheartthatbreaks。
Theheartasksmorethanlifecangive，Whenthatislearned，thenallislearned；
Thewavesbreakfoldonjewelledfold，Butbeautyitselfisfugitive，ItwillnothurtmewhenIamold。
MorningSongAdiamondofamorningWakedmeanhourtoosoon；
DawnhadtakeninthestarsAndleftthefaintwhitemoon。
Owhitemoon，youarelonely，Itisthesamewithme，Butwehavetheworldtoroamover，Onlythelonelyarefree。
GrayFogAfogdriftsin，theheavyladenColdwhiteghostofthesea——
Onebyonethehillsgoout，Theroadandthepepper—tree。
IwatchthefogfloatinatthewindowWiththewholeworldgoneblind，Everything，evenmylonging，drowses，Eventhethoughtsinmymind。
Iputmyheadonmyhandsbeforeme，Thereisnothinglefttobedoneorsaid，Thereisnothingtohopefor，Iamtired，Andheavyasthedead。
BellsAtsixo’clockofanautumnduskWiththeskyinthewestarustyred，ThebellsofthemissiondowninthevalleyCryoutthatthedayisdead。
Thefirststarpricksassharpassteel——
WhyamIsuddenlysocold？
Threebells，eachwithaseparatesoundClanginthevalley，wearilytolled。
BellsinVenice，bellsatsea，Bellsinthevalleyheavyandslow——
ThereisnoplaceoverthecrowdedworldWhereIcanforgetthatthedaysgo。
LovelyChanceOlovelychance，whatcanIdoTogivemygratefulnesstoyou？
YourisebetweenmyselfandmeWithawisepersistency；
Iwouldhavebrokenbodyandsoul，Butbyyourgrace，stillIamwhole。
Manyathingyoudidtosaveme，Manyaholygiftyougaveme，MusicandfriendsandhappyloveMorethanmydearestdreamingof；
AndnowinthiswidetwilighthourWithearthandheavenadark，blueflower，InahumblemoodIblessYourwisdom——andyourwaywardness。
Youbroughtmeevenhere，whereI
LiveonahillagainsttheskyAndlookonmountainsandtheseaAndathinwhitemooninthepeppertree。
VIII
\"ThereWillComeSoftRains\"
（WarTime）
Therewillcomesoftrainsandthesmelloftheground，Andswallowscirclingwiththeirshimmeringsound；
Andfrogsinthepoolssingingatnight，Andwildplum—treesintremulouswhite；
RobinswillweartheirfeatheryfireWhistlingtheirwhimsonalowfence—wire；
Andnotonewillknowofthewar，notoneWillcareatlastwhenitisdone。
Notonewouldmind，neitherbirdnortreeIfmankindperishedutterly；
AndSpringherself，whenshewokeatdawn，Wouldscarcelyknowthatweweregone。
InaGardenTheworldisrestingwithoutsoundormotion，BehindtheappletreethesungoesdownPaintingwithfirethespiresandthewindowsIntheelm—shadedtown。
BeyondthecalmConnecticutthehillslieSilveredwithhazeasfruitsstillfreshwithbloom，TheswallowsweaveinflightacrossthezenithOnanaerialloom。
Intothegardenpeacecomesbackwithtwilight，Peacethatsincenoonhadleftthepurplephlox，Theheavy—headedasters，thelaterosesAndswayinghollyhocks。
Forathigh—noonIheardfromthissamegardenThefar—offmurmuraswhenmanycome；
UpfromthevillagesurgedtheblindandbeatingRedmusicofadrum；
AndthehystericalsharpfifethatshatteredThebrittleautumnair，Whiletheycame，theyoungmenmarchingPastthevillagesquare……
AcrossthecalmConnecticutthehillschangeToviolet，theveilsofduskaredeep——
Earthtakesherchildren’smanysorrowscalmlyAndstillsherselftosleep。
NahantBowedasanelmundertheweightofitsbeauty，Soearthisbowed，underherweightofsplendor，Moltensea，richnessofleavesandtheburnishedBronzeofsea—grasses。
Cleftsinthecliffshelterthepurplesand—peasAndchicoryflowersbluerthantheoceanFlingingitsfoamhigh，whitefireinsunshine，Jewelsofwater。
Joyousthunderofblownwavesontheledges，Makemeforgetwarandthedarkwar—sorrow——
Againsttheskyasentrypacesthesea—cliffSliminhiskhaki。
WinterStarsIwentoutatnightalone；
TheyoungbloodflowingbeyondtheseaSeemedtohavedrenchedmyspirit’swings——
Iboremysorrowheavily。
ButwhenIliftedupmyheadFromshadowsshakenonthesnow，IsawOrionintheeastBurnsteadilyaslongago。
Fromwindowsinmyfather’shouse，Dreamingmydreamsonwinternights，IwatchedOrionasagirlAboveanothercity’slights。
Yearsgo，dreamsgo，andyouthgoestoo，Theworld’sheartbreaksbeneathitswars，Allthingsarechanged，saveintheeastThefaithfulbeautyofthestars。
ABoyOutofthenoiseoftiredpeopleworking，Harriedwiththoughtsofwarandlistsofdead，Hisbeautymetmelikeafreshwindblowing，Cleanboyishbeautyandhigh—heldhead。
Eyesthattoldsecrets，lipsthatwouldnottellthem，Fearlessandshytheyoungunweariedeyes——
Mendiebymillionsnow，becauseGodblunders，Yettohavemadethisboyhemustbewise。
WinterDuskIwatchthegreatcleartwilightVeilingtheice—bowedtrees；
TheirbranchestinklefaintlyWithcrystalmelodies。
ThelarchesbendtheirsilverOverthehushofsnow；
Onestarislightedinthewest，Twointhezenithglow。
ForamomentIhaveforgottenWarsandwomenwhomourn——
IthinkofthemotherwhoboremeAndthankherthatIwasborn。
BytheSeaIX
TheUnchangingSun—sweptbeacheswithalightwindblowingFromtheimmensebluecircleofthesea，Andthesoftthunderwherelongwaveswhiten——
ThesewerethesameforSapphoasforme。
Twothousandyears——muchhasgonebyforever，Changetakesthegodsandshipsandspeechofmen——
ButhereonthebeachesthattimepassesoverTheheartachesnowasthen。
JuneNightOhEarth，youaretoodearto—night，HowcanIsleepwhileallaroundFloatsrainyfragranceandthefarDeepvoiceoftheoceanthattalkstotheground？
OhEarth，yougavemeallIhave，Iloveyou，Iloveyou，——ohwhathaveI
ThatIcangiveyouinreturn——
ExceptmybodyafterIdie？
\"LikeBarleyBending\"
LikebarleybendingInlowfieldsbythesea，SinginginhardwindCeaselessly；
LikebarleybendingAndrisingagain，SowouldI，unbroken，Risefrompain；
SowouldIsoftly，Daylong，nightlong，ChangemysorrowIntosong。
\"OhDayofFireandSun\"
Ohdayoffireandsun，Pureasanakedflame，Bluesea，blueskyanddunSandswherehespokemyname；
LaughterandheartssohighThatthespiritflewofffree，LiftingintotheskyDivingintothesea；
OhdayoffireandsunLikeacrystalburning，Slowdaysgoonebyone，Butyouhavenoreturning。
\"IThoughtofYou\"
Ithoughtofyouandhowyoulovethisbeauty，AndwalkingupthelongbeachallaloneIheardthewavesbreakinginmeasuredthunderAsyouandIonceheardtheirmonotone。
Aroundmeweretheechoingdunes，beyondmeThecoldandsparklingsilverofthesea——
WetwowillpassthroughdeathandageslengthenBeforeyouhearthatsoundagainwithme。
OntheDunesIfthereisanylifewhendeathisover，Thesetawnybeacheswillknowmuchofme，Ishallcomeback，asconstantandaschangefulAstheunchanging，many—coloredsea。
Iflifewassmall，ifithasmademescornful，Forgiveme；IshallstraightenlikeaflameInthegreatcalmofdeath，andifyouwantmeStandonthesea—warddunesandcallmyname。
SprayIknewyouthoughtofmeallnight，Iknew，thoughyouwerefaraway；
IfeltyourloveblowovermeAsifadarkwind—rivenseaDrenchedmewithquiveringspray。
TherearesomanywaystoloveAndeachwayhasitsowndelight——
ThenbecontenttocometomeOnlyasspraythebeatingseaDrivesinlandthroughthenight。
IfDeathIsKindPerhapsifDeathiskind，andtherecanbereturning，Wewillcomebacktoearthsomefragrantnight，Andtaketheselanestofindthesea，andbendingBreathethesamehoneysuckle，lowandwhite。
WewillcomedownatnighttotheseresoundingbeachesAndthelonggentlethunderofthesea，HereforasinglehourinthewidestarlightWeshallbehappy，forthedeadarefree。
X
ThoughtsWhenIamallaloneEnvymemost，ThenmythoughtsflutterroundmeInaglimmeringhost；
Somedressedinsilver，Somedressedinwhite，EachlikeataperBlossominglight；
Mostofthemmerry，Someofthemgrave，EachofthemlitheAswillowsthatwave；
Somebearingviolets，Somebearingbay，OnewithaburningroseHiddenaway——
WhenIamallaloneEnvymethen，ForIhavebetterfriendsThanwomenandmen。
FacesPeoplethatImeetandpassInthecity’sbrokenroar，FacesthatIlosesosoonAndhaveneverfoundbefore，DoyouknowhowmuchyoutellInthemeetingofoureyes，HowashamedIam，andsadTohavepiercedyourpoordisguise？
SecretsrushingwithoutsoundCryingfromyourhidingplaces——
Letmego，IcannotbearThesorrowofthepassingfaces。
——Peopleintherestlessstreet，Canitbe，ohcanitbeInthemeetingofoureyesThatyouknowasmuchofme？
Evening：NewYorkBluedustofeveningovermycity，OvertheoceanofroofsandthetalltowersWherethewindow—lights，myriadsandmyriads，Bloomfromthewallslikeclimbingflowers。
Snowfall\"Shecan’tbeunhappy，\"yousaid，\"Thesmilesarelikestarsinhereyes，AndherlaughisthistledownAroundherlowreplies。\"
\"Issheunhappy？\"yousaid——
ButwhohaseverknownAnother’sheartbreak——
Allhecanknowishisown；
Andsheseemshushedtome，AshushedasthoughHerheartwereahunter’sfireSmotheredinsnow。
TheSilentBattle（InMemoryofJ。W。T。Jr。）
HewasasoldierinthatfightWherethereisneitherflagnordrum，AndwithoutsoundofmusketryThestealthyfoemencome。
Yearin，yearout，bydayandnightTheyforcedhimtoaslowretreat，AndforhisgallantfightaloneNofifewasblown，andnodrumbeat。
Inwinterfog，ingatheringmistThegraygrimbattlehaditsend——
AndattheverylastweknewHisenemyhadturnedhisfriend。
TheSanctuaryIfIcouldkeepmyinnermostMeFearless，aloofandfreeOftheleastbreathofloveorhate，AndnotdisconsolateAtthesickloadofsorrowlaidonmen；
IfIcouldkeepasanctuarythereFreeevenofprayer，IfIcoulddothis，then，WithquietcandorasIgrewmorewiseIcouldlookevenatGodwithgraveforgivingeyes。
AtSeaInthepullofthewindIstand，lonely，Onthedeckofaship，rising，falling，Wildnightaroundme，wildwaterunderme，Whippedbythestorm，screamingandcalling。
Earthishostileandtheseahostile，WhydoIlookforaplacetorest？
ImustfightalwaysanddiefightingWithfearanunhealingwoundinmybreast。
DustWhenIwenttolookatwhathadlongbeenhidden，Ajewellaidlongagoinasecretplace，Itrembled，forIthoughttoseeitsdarkdeepfire——
Butonlyapinchofdustblewupinmyface。
IalmostgavemylifelongagoforathingThathasgonetodustnow，stingingmyeyes——
ItisstrangehowoftenaheartmustbebrokenBeforetheyearscanmakeitwise。
TheLongHillImusthavepassedthecrestawhileagoAndnowIamgoingdown——
Strangetohavecrossedthecrestandnottoknow，Butthebrambleswerealwayscatchingthehemofmygown。
AllthemorningIthoughthowproudIshouldbeTostandtherestraightasaqueen，Wrappedinthewindandthesunwiththeworldunderme——
Buttheairwasdull，therewaslittleIcouldhaveseen。
ItwasnearlylevelalongthebeatentrackAndthebramblescaughtinmygown——
Butit’snousenowtothinkofturningback，Therestofthewaywillbeonlygoingdown。
XI
SummerStormThepantherwindLeapsoutofthenight，ThesnakeoflightningIstwistingandwhite，ThelionofthunderRoars——andweSitstillandcontentUnderatree——
WehavemetfatetogetherAndloveandpain，WhyshouldwefearThewrathoftherain！
IntheEndAllthatcouldneverbesaid，Allthatcouldneverbedone，WaitforusatlastSomewherebackofthesun；
AlltheheartbroketoforegoShallbeourswithoutpain，WeshalltakethemaslightlyasgirlsPluckflowersafterrain。
AndwhentheyareoursintheendPerhapsafterallTheskieswillnotopenforusNorheavenbethereatourcall。
\"ItWillNotChange\"
ItwillnotchangenowAftersomanyyears；
LifehasnotbrokenitWithpartingortears；
Deathwillnotalterit，ItwillliveonInallmysongsforyouWhenIamgone。
ChangeRemembermeasIwasthen；
Turnfrommenow，butalwaysseeThelaughingshadowygirlwhostoodAtmidnightbythefloweringtree，WitheyesthatlovehadmadeasbrightAsthetremblingstarsofthesummernight。
Turnfrommenow，butalwayshearThemutedlaughterinthedewOfthatoneyearofyouthwehad，Theonlyyouthweeverknew——
Turnfrommenow，oryouwillseeWhatotheryearshavedonetome。
WaterLiliesIfyouhaveforgottenwaterliliesfloatingOnadarklakeamongmountainsintheafternoonshade，Ifyouhaveforgottentheirwet，sleepyfragrance，Thenyoucanreturnandnotbeafraid。
Butifyouremember，thenturnawayforeverTotheplainsandtheprairieswherepoolsarefarapart，Thereyouwillnotcomeatduskonclosingwaterlilies，Andtheshadowofmountainswillnotfallonyourheart。
\"DidYouNeverKnow？\"
Didyouneverknow，longago，howmuchyoulovedme——
Thatyourlovewouldneverlessenandnevergo？
Youwereyoungthen，proudandfresh—hearted，Youweretooyoungtoknow。
Fateisawind，andredleavesflybeforeitFarapart，farawayinthegustytimeofyear——
Seldomwemeetnow，butwhenIhearyouspeaking，Iknowyoursecret，mydear，mydear。
TheTreasureWhentheyseemysongsTheywillsighandsay，\"Poorsoul，wistfulsoul，Lonelynightandday。\"
TheywillneverknowAllyourloveformeSurerthanthespring，Strongerthanthesea；
HiddenoutofsightLikeamiser’sgoldInforsakenfieldsWherethewindiscold。
TheStormIthoughtofyouwhenIwaswakenedByawindthatmademegladandafraidOftherushing，pouringsoundoftheseaThatthegreattreesmade。
OnethoughtinmymindwentoverandoverWhilethedarknessshookandtheleaveswerethinned——
Ithoughtitwasyouwhohadcometofindme，Youwerethewind。
SongsForMyselfXII
TheTreeOhtobefreeofmyself，Withnothinglefttoremember，TohavemyheartasbareAsatreeinDecember；
Resting，asatreerestsAfteritsleavesaregone，WaitingnomoreforarainatnightNorfortheredatdawn；
Butstill，ohsostillWhilethewindscomeandgo，WithnomorefearofthehardfrostOrthebrightburdenofsnow；
Andheedless，heedlessIfanyonepassandseeOnthewhitepageoftheskyItsthinblacktracery。
AtMidnightNowatlastIhavecometoseewhatlifeis，Nothingiseverended，everythingonlybegun，AndthebravevictoriesthatseemsosplendidAreneverreallywon。
EvenlovethatIbuiltmyspirit’shousefor，Comeslikeabroodingandabaffledguest，Andmusicandmen’spraiseandevenlaughterArenotsogoodasrest。
SongMakingMyheartcriedlikeabeatenchildCeaselesslyallnightlong；
IhadtotakemyowncriesAndthreadthemintoasong。
OnewasacryatblackmidnightAndonewhenthefirstcockcrew——
Myheartwaslikeabeatenchild，Butnooneeverknew。
Life，youhaveputmeinyourdebtAndImustserveyoulong——
Butoh，thedebtisterribleThatmustbepaidinsong。
AloneIamalone，inspiteoflove，InspiteofallItakeandgive——
Inspiteofallyourtenderness，SometimesIamnotgladtolive。
Iamalone，asthoughIstoodOnthehighestpeakofthetiredgrayworld，Aboutmeonlyswirlingsnow，Aboveme，endlessspaceunfurled；
Withearthhiddenandheavenhidden，Andonlymyownspirit’sprideTokeepmefromthepeaceofthoseWhoarenotlonely，havingdied。
RedMaplesInthelastyearIhavelearnedHowfewmenareworthmytrust；
IhaveseenthefriendIlovedStruckbydeathintothedust，AndfearsIneverknewbeforeHaveknockedandknockeduponmydoor——
\"Ishallhopelittleandaskforless，\"
Isaid，\"Thereisnohappiness。\"
Ihavegrownwiseatlast——buthowCanIhidethegleamonthewillow—bough，OrkeepthefragranceoutoftherainNowthatAprilishereagain？
WhenmaplesstandinahazeoffireWhatcanIsaytotheolddesire，WhatshallIdowiththejoyinmeThatisbornoutofagony？
DebtorSolongasmyspiritstillIsgladofbreathAndliftsitsplumesofprideInthedarkfaceofdeath；
WhileIamcuriousstillOfloveandfame，KeepingmyhearttoohighFortheyearstotame，HowcanIquarrelwithfateSinceIcanseeIamadebtortolife，Notlifetome？
TheWindintheHemlockSteelystarsandmoonofbrass，Howmockinglyyouwatchmepass！
YouknowaswellasIhowsoonIshallbeblindtostarsandmoon，Deaftothewindinthehemlocktree，Dumbwhenthebrownearthweighsonme。
WithenviousdarkrageIbear，Stars，yourcoldcomplacentstare；
Heart—brokeninmyhatelookup，Moon，atyourclearimmortalcup，Changingtogoldfromduskyred——
AgeafteragewhenIamdeadTobefilledupwithlight，andthenEmptied，toberefilledagain。
WhathasmandonethatonlyheIsslavetodeath——sobrutallyBeatenbackintotheearthImpatientforhimsincehisbirth？
Ohletmeshutmyeyes，closeoutThesightofstarsandearthandbeShelteredaminutebythistree。
Hemlock，throughyourfragrantboughsTheremovesnoangerandnodoubt，Noenvyofimmortalthings。
Thenight—windmurmursoftheseaWithveiledmusicceaselessly，Thattomyshakenspiritsings。
Fromtheirfrailnesttherobinsrouse，Inyourpungentdarknessstirred，Twitteringalowdrowsyword——
Andmeyoushelter，evenme。
InyourquietnessyouhouseThewind，thewomanandthebird。
YouspeaktomeandIhaveheard：
IfIampeaceful，IshallseeBeauty’sfacecontinually；
FeedingonherwineandbreadIshallbewhollycomforted，ForshecanmakeonedayformeRichasmylosteternity。
[Endoforiginaltext。]
BiographicalNote：
SaraTeasdale（1884—1933）：
TeasdalewasborninSt。Louis，Missouri，wheresheattendedaschoolthatwasfoundedbythegrandfatherofanothergreatpoetfromSt。Louis——
T。S。Eliot。ShelaterassociatedherselfmorewithNewYorkCity。
Herfirstbookofpoemswas\"SonnetstoDuse\"（1907），but\"HelenofTroy\"（1911）wasthetruelaunchofhercareer，followedby\"RiverstotheSea\"（1915），\"LoveSongs\"（1917），\"FlameandShadow\"（1920）andmore。Herfinalvolume，\"StrangeVictory\"，isconsideredbymanytobepredictiveofhersuicidein1933。
————
FromananthologyofversebyJessieB。Rittenhouse（1913，1917）：
\"Teasdale，Sara（Mrs。ErnstB。Filsinger）。BorninSt。Louis，Missouri，August10，1884。Educatedatprivateschools。Sheistheauthorof\"SonnetstoDuse\"，1907；\"HelenofTroy，andOtherPoems\"，1911；
\"RiverstotheSea\"，1915；\"LoveSongs\"，1917。Editorof\"TheAnsweringVoice：AHundredLoveLyricsbyWomen\"，1917。
MissTeasdaleisalyricpoetofanunusuallypureandspontaneousgift。\"