Part 15 (1/2)

Lost in the life thus given We well might bid farewell.

To leap against thy bosoms!

Live at thy ardent throat!

Kiss clinging to its blossoms, Die kissing and not know't!

Wound in tumultuous tresses Pulse like a naked hair, Held in long hands for kisses, And killed and never care.

Clasped limb and marble member, Long raven hair with gold, To dream, forget, remember, Grow slowly still and cold.

Feel earth and h.e.l.l forever Remote from thee and me, Nor strong enough to sever Through all eternity.

Feel G.o.dlike power for evil High throned within the heart, Should G.o.d and h.e.l.l's arch devil Cast dice our souls to part: Part eyes hot as a jewel, Part covering deeps of curl, Sweet lips as sweet as cruel, And limbs of living pearl.

What if in the hereafter Our love must weep farewell 'Mid the hoa.r.s.e, strident laughter Of devils deep in h.e.l.l; We'll know that all infernal, All cactus-growth of time, Slays not that hour eternal That sinned with love to crime.

Love, we could live all tearless, Remember and have breath, Of h.e.l.l and heaven fearless In love more strong than death.

When hope shall be forgotten And death be one with both, Flesh, soul, and spirit rotten And wrapped with clay in sloth.

Take comfort, love, remember Love chastened with his rod, And member torn from member Would leave him still a G.o.d.

Though soul from soul be riven, G.o.d knows we shall regret!

In h.e.l.l or highest heaven We never can forget!

MIRIAM.

White clouds and buds and birds and bees, Low wind-notes piped from southern seas, Brought thee a rose-white offering, A flower-like baby with the Spring.

She, as her April, gave to thee A soul of winsome vagary; Large, heavenly eyes, and tender, whence Shone the sweet mind's soft influence; Where all the winning woman, that Welled up in tears, high sparkling sat.

She, with the dower of her May, Gave thee a nature that could sway Wild men with kindness, and a pride Which all their littleness denied.

Limbs wrought of lilies and a face Bright as a rose flower's, and a grace, G.o.d-taught, that clings like happiness In each chaste billow of thy dress.

She, as her heavy June, brought down Night deeps of hair thy brow to crown; A voice so mild and musical It is as water-notes that fall O'er bars of pearl, and in thy heart Stamped like a jewel, that should start From thy pure face in smiles, and break Like radiance when it laughed or spake, Affection that is born of truth And goodness which make very youth.

THE WIND.

The ways of the wind are eerie And I love them all, The blithe, the mad, and the dreary, Spring, Winter, and Fall.

When it tells to the waiting crocus Its beak to show, And hangs on the wayside locust Bloom-bunches of snow.

When it comes like a balmy blessing From the musky wood, The half-grown roses caressing Till their cheeks show blood.

When it roars in the Autumn season, And whines with rain Or sleet like a mind without reason, Or a soul in pain.