Here on the rock Zeus lifted from the waves, I shall await the waking of the dawn, Lying beneath the weight of dark as one Lies breathless till the lover shall awake. And with the sun, the sea shall cover me; I shall be less than the dissolving foam, Murmuring and melting on the ebbing tide. I shall be less than spindrift, less than shells-- And yet I shall be greater than the gods; For destiny no more can bow my soul As rain bows down the watch-fires on the hills. Yea, if my soul escape, it shall aspire Toward the white heaven as flame that has its will. I go not bitterly, not dumb with grief, Not broken by the ache of love--I go As one grown tired lies down and hopes to sleep. Yet they shall say: “It was for Cercolas-- She died because she could not bear her love.” They shall remember how we used to walk Here on the cliff beneath the oleanders, In the long limpid twilight of the spring, Looking toward Khios where the amber sky Was pierced by the faint arrow of a star. How should they know the wind of a new beauty Sweeping my soul had winnowed it with song? I have been glad tho’ love should come or go, Happy as trees that find a wind to sway them, Happy again when it has left them rest. Others shall say: “Grave Dica wrought her death.” She would not lift her lips to take a kiss, Or ever lift her eyes to take a smile. She was a pool the winter paves with ice, That the wild hunter in the hills must leave With thirst unslaked in the brief southward sun. Ah, Dica, it is not for thee I go. And not for Phaon, tho’ his ship lifts sail Here in the windless harbor, for the south. Oh, darkling deities that guard the Nile, Watch over one whose gods are far away; Egypt, be kind to him--his eyes are deep. Yet they are wrong who say, it was for him. How should they know that Sappho lived and died Faithful to love, not faithful to the lover, Never transfused and lost in what she loved, Never so wholly loving nor at peace. I asked for something greater than I found, And every time that love has made me weep, I have rejoiced that love could be so strong; For I have stood apart and watched my soul Caught in the gust of passion, as a bird With baffled wings against the dusty whirlwind Struggles and frees itself to find the sky. * * * * * It is not for a single god, I go. I have grown weary of the winds of heaven. I will not be a reed to hold the sound Of whatsoever breath the gods may blow, Turning my torment into music for them. They gave me life--the gift was bountiful, I lived with the swift singing strength of fire, Seeking for beauty as a flame for fuel, Beauty in all things and in every hour. The gods have given life, I gave them song; The debt is paid and now I turn to go. The breath of dawn blows the stars out like lamps, There is a rim of silver on the sea. As one grown tired, who hopes to sleep, I go. _Scribner’s_ _Sara Teasdale_