Part 12

OTHER DAYS

I wonder if you ever dream of other days, Because, sometimes, at twilight when the sunset plays Half wistfully across the polished oaken floor, I see you smiling--standing in your place once more.

(Do you remember little things we used to say? They wouldn't mean so very much to us to-day.... Do you remember how I wore a gown of blue, Because it brought the haze of autumn clouds to you? Do you remember how I said you didn't care-- And how you laughed at me and rumpled up my hair? Do you remember how the tears stood in my eyes At your good-by when darkness overhung the skies?)

I wonder if you ever dream of other days? Because, sometimes at twilight when the sunset plays Half wistfully across your empty cozy-chair, I turn and half expect to see you smiling there!

THIS IS TO YOU, DEAR, TO YOU, UNKNOWING; JUST AS THE SOUTH WIND WISTFULLY BLOWING TOUCHES SOME FLOWER--

SO IS MY SONG, DEAR, THROUGH EVERY HOUR, ALL THE DAY LONG, DEAR, TO YOU, UNKNOWING!

AT TWILIGHT

You came to me through the candlelight, When the world, outside, was grey.... You came to me through the candlelight When the day was done, and the misty night Crept through the land. And your eyes were bright, And they seemed to laugh and pray. You came to me through the candlelight, And you took my hands, and you held them tight, And you didn't speak, but, dear, I KNEW-- And my heart and my soul were part of you.

You came to me through the candlelight, When the world, outside, was grey; And I looked in your eyes and, glowing there, I saw a hope and I read a prayer; And I knew, at last, that I didn't care, If life were a troubled, weary way, As long as I walked with you. You came to me, at the close of day, Through the candlelight--when the world was grey-- And dreams of Heaven seemed strangely new.... And I told you, dear, to stay!

THERE ARE SUCH WEARY LITTLE LINES

There are such weary little lines about the mouth of you, Such tragic little mirthless lines--they mock at dreams come true, And twist your lips when you would smile, until all joy is dead, And I, who want to laugh with you, am fain to weep instead!

There are such dreary little lines about the mouth of you, They make me want to whisper that summer sky is blue, And that the rain is like a lance of silver through the air, And that the flowers in the lane are growing tall and fair!

There are such tired little lines about the mouth of you-- As if you thought that life was cold and loving friends were few.... They are such lonely little lines I think that I, some day, Will creep close to you in the dusk, and kiss them quite away!

THREE SONGS OF AWAKENING

The flowers spring from the broken heart, Of the frozen winter sod-- Rending their prison bars apart, They smile in the face of God!

The birds sweep up to the wind-blown plain, E'er ever the land knows spring; To sway on a budding branch again, To challenge the world, and sing!

And I with my tired eyes a-dance, And my weary heart a-flame; Have felt the call of the old romance, And thrilled to a whispered name!

I saw a sky as blue as eyes I know, I felt a breeze, as soft as kisses, blow; And, dear, I saw one golden sunbeam creep From Heaven, lighting all the world below, Like love that wakens, dewy-eyed, from sleep!

We who have wondered know the answer, now; For Spring stands, joyous, on the purple brow Of the far hill; and doubt is swept away, And all the mirth-mad world makes holiday!

We who have wandered long, and half afraid, Find answer in each dreaming woodland glade; HEARTS THAT HAVE BROKEN MAY BE BOUND TOGETHER, WHEN SPRING HAS TRIUMPHED OVER WINTER WEATHER!

IN A CANOE

Starlight, and the silver lake Clasp the skies-- And two nearer, dearer stars, Your eyes!

Elfin voices seem to call Through the night, But your arms are warm, and they Hold me tight.

Pallidly the moon slides down, Hour by hour slips; Ah, the deathless magic of Your lips!

Dark the shadows as we creep Past the shore-- Dear, that we might drift like this Evermore!

CAPTIVE-HEART

Now that the day is done I am ready to greet you, Smiling, the way that I know you would have me smile; I will open the door, and will run down the walk to meet you, As if I had missed you, dear, for a weary while! I will listen, breathless, the while you tell of your toiling, All day long in the dust and the city's heat; And, dear, you will never know that my blood is boiling-- Back of the smile that is calm and tenderly sweet.

You will never know that the soul of me, dear, is flying, Out where the seagull dips in the ocean's foam; You will never know that something of me is dying, Every night as I smile and welcome you home. You will never know that my heart is soaring above you-- You will be content with my mask of a smile-- KNOWING I LOVE YOU!