If you were just one street away, One only! I know that in my heart I'd say I'm lonely. But with the world between us two A-lying, I hear my soul cry out, "For you I'm dying!" DISSATISFACTION Our love is near akin unto regret; We love, and are beloved again, and yet There oft is something that we lack. So Life is very near akin to Death, We live and laugh awhile, yet with each breath Something is passing, that will ne'er come back. ONE EVENING The damp, sweet smell of the earth after rain, A golden rift in the sky, The deepening twilight, the purple plain, And you and I. The strange, still hush of the slumbering world, The mist in the wood close by, A deer that nibbles a leaf dew-pearled, And you and I. The falling rain has left tremulous lakes Where the shattered branches lie; The storm has bowed the tree till it breaks, And you and I! Yet the green earth smiles through the tears she wept; With one long, rapturous sigh The Noon in the arms of Night has crept, And you and I? TO —— I thought that I might see you, sweet, That after all this weary year By some good fortune we might meet, And kiss each other here. I told my heart to bide awhile, And not to faint with vain regret; I even forced my lips to smile, My conscience to forget. I killed depression as it rose, And built new castles on the sand; This was the place my fancy chose That I should hold your hand. And I have held your hand, my dear, A second, daring not to press Your finger-tips, in mortal fear To meet your eyes; and yet I bless That little moment none the less. MY SOUL, THE DEATHLESS Hush! my soul is singing; Through the still night ringing Sounds its voice. Till the dark in wonder Seemeth cleft asunder, And the stars rejoice. E'en the air is breathless, For my soul, the deathless, Sings of thee. Beats its wings of fire, In the vast desire For eternity. Lifts its eyes of splendour Full of deep surrender For thy sake. Bids me let it press thee In its arms, and bless thee Till thy love awake. WHAT AM I? What am I to presume to say Were you good or bad, Was I wrong or right? After all life's only a day And perhaps—a night. What am I to set up for Judge? Shall I wound myself With a vain regret? Our fleeting pleasure if Time begrudge Can he not forget? The thrill of it all is past we know, Say we both were right, And we both were wrong, There's little enough joy here below, And love's none too long. WHAT A PITY!