Part 8 (1/2)

Night Song at Amalfi

I asked the heaven of stars What I should give my love -- It answered me with silence, Silence above.

I asked the darkened sea Down where the fishers go -- It answered me with silence, Silence below.

Oh, I could give him weeping, Or I could give him song -- But how can I give silence My whole life long?

Song

Let it be forgotten as a flower is forgotten, Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold, Let it be forgotten forever and ever, Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.

If any one asks, say it was forgotten Long and long ago, As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall In a long forgotten snow.

Love is a Terrible Thing. [Grace Fallow Norton]

I went out to the farthest meadow, I lay down in the deepest shadow;

And I said unto the earth, ”Hold me,”

And unto the night, ”O enfold me,”

And unto the wind petulantly I cried, ”You know not for you are free!”

And I begged the little leaves to lean Low and together for a safe screen;

Then to the stars I told my tale: ”That is my home-light, there in the vale,

”And O, I know that I shall return, But let me lie first mid the unfeeling fern.

”For there is a flame that has blown too near, And there is a name that has grown too dear, And there is a fear . . .”

And to the still hills and cool earth and far sky I made moan, ”The heart in my bosom is not my own!

”O would I were free as the wind on wing; Love is a terrible thing!”

Valley Song. [Carl Sandburg]

Your eyes and the valley are memories.

Your eyes fire and the valley a bowl.

It was here a moonrise crept over the timberline.

It was here we turned the coffee cups upside down.

And your eyes and the moon swept the valley.

I will see you again to-morrow.

I will see you again in a million years.

I will never know your dark eyes again.