Volume Ii Part 146 (2/2)
Now I know how true she was; Now I know how dear she was”-- When the gra.s.s grows over me!
Ina Donna Coolbrith [1842-1928]
GIVE LOVE TO-DAY
When the lean, gray gra.s.ses Cover me, bury me deep, No sea wind that pa.s.ses Shall break my sleep.
When you come, my lover, Sorrowful-eyed to me, Earth mine eyes will cover; I shall not see.
Though with sad words splendid, Praising, you call me dear, It will be all ended; I shall not hear.
You may live love's riot Laughingly over my head, But I shall lie quiet With the gray dead.
Love, you will not wake me With all your singing carouse.
Nor your dancing shake me In my dark house.
Though you should go weeping, Sorrowful for my sake, Fain to break my sleeping, I could not wake.
Now, ere time destroy us-- Shadows beneath and above; Death has no song joyous, Nor dead men love--
Now, while deep-eyed, golden, Love on the mountain sings, Let him be close holden; Fetter his wings.
Love, nor joy nor sorrow Troubles the end of day.
Leave the Fates to-morrow; Give Love to-day.
Ethel Talbot [18--
UNTIL DEATH
Make me no vows of constancy, dear friend, To love me, though I die, thy whole life long, And love no other till thy days shall end-- Nay, it were rash and wrong.
If thou canst love another, be it so; I would not reach out of my quiet grave To bind thy heart, if it should choose to go-- Love should not be a slave.
My placid ghost, I trust, will walk serene In clearer light than gilds those earthly morns, Above the jealousies and envies keen, Which sow this life with thorns.
Thou wouldst not feel my shadowy caress; If, after death, my soul should linger here; Men's hearts crave tangible, close tenderness, Love's presence, warm and near.
It would not make me sleep more peacefully That thou wert wasting all thy life in woe For my poor sake; what love thou hast for me, Bestow it ere I go.
Carve not upon a stone when I am dead The praises which remorseful mourners give To women's graves--a tardy recompense-- But speak them while I live.
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