Flame and Shadow — III - Memories

Day and Night In Warsaw in Poland Half the world away, The one I love best of all Thought of me to-day;

I know, for I went Winged as a bird, In the wide flowing wind His own voice I heard;

His arms were round me In a ferny place, I looked in the pool And there was his face-- But now it is night And the cold stars say: "Warsaw in Poland Is half the world away."

Compensation I should be glad of loneliness And hours that go on broken wings, A thirsty body, a tired heart And the unchanging ache of things, If I could make a single song As lovely and as full of light, As hushed and brief as a falling star On a winter night.

I Remembered There never was a mood of mine, Gay or heart-broken, luminous or dull, But you could ease me of its fever And give it back to me more beautiful.

In many another soul I broke the bread, And drank the wine and played the happy guest, But I was lonely, I remembered you;

The heart belongs to him who knew it best.

"Oh You Are Coming" Oh you are coming, coming, coming, How will hungry Time put by the hours till then?

-- But why does it anger my heart to long so For one man out of the world of men?

Oh I would live in myself only And build my life lightly and still as a dream-- Are not my thoughts clearer than your thoughts And colored like stones in a running stream?

Now the slow moon brightens in heaven, The stars are ready, the night is here-- Oh why must I lose myself to love you, My dear?

The Return He has come, he is here, My love has come home, The minutes are lighter Than flying foam, The hours are like dancers On gold-slippered feet, The days are young runners Naked and fleet-- For my love has returned, He is home, he is here, In the whole world no other Is dear as my dear!

Gray Eyes It was April when you came The first time to me, And my first look in your eyes Was like my first look at the sea.

We have been together Four Aprils now Watching for the green On the swaying willow bough;

Yet whenever I turn To your gray eyes over me, It is as though I looked For the first time at the sea.

The Net I made you many and many a song, Yet never one told all you are-- It was as though a net of words Were flung to catch a star;

It was as though I curved my hand And dipped sea-water eagerly, Only to find it lost the blue Dark splendor of the sea.

The Mystery Your eyes drink of me, Love makes them shine, Your eyes that lean So close to mine.

We have long been lovers, We know the range Of each other's moods And how they change;

But when we look At each other so Then we feel How little we know;

The spirit eludes us, Timid and free-- Can I ever know you Or you know me?