Part 8

I saw the rocks where long ago, Above the sea that cries and breaks, Swift Perseus with Medusa's snakes Set free the maiden white like snow.

And many skies have covered me, And many winds have blown me forth, And I have loved the green, bright north, And I have loved the cold, sweet sea.

But what to me are north and south, And what the lure of many lands, Since you have leaned to catch my hands And lay a kiss upon my mouth.

The Years

To-night I close my eyes and see A strange procession passing me-- The years before I saw your face Go by me with a wistful grace; They pass, the sensitive, shy years, As one who strives to dance, half blind with tears.

The years went by and never knew That each one brought me nearer you; Their path was narrow and apart And yet it led me to your heart-- Oh, sensitive, shy years, oh, lonely years, That strove to sing with voices drowned in tears.

Enough

It is enough for me by day To walk the same bright earth with him; Enough that over us by night The same great roof of stars is dim.

I do not hope to bind the wind Or set a fetter on the sea-- It is enough to feel his love Blow by like music over me.

Come

Come, when the pale moon like a petal Floats in the pearly dusk of spring, Come with arms outstretched to take me, Come with lips pursed up to cling.

Come, for life is a frail moth flying, Caught in the web of the years that pass, And soon we two, so warm and eager, Will be as the gray stones in the grass.

Joy

I am wild, I will sing to the trees, I will sing to the stars in the sky, I love, I am loved, he is mine, Now at last I can die!

I am sandaled with wind and with flame, I have heart-fire and singing to give, I can tread on the grass or the stars, Now at last I can live!

Riches

I have no riches but my thoughts, Yet these are wealth enough for me; My thoughts of you are golden coins Stamped in the mint of memory;

And I must spend them all in song, For thoughts, as well as gold, must be Left on the hither side of death To gain their immortality.

Dusk in War Time

A half-hour more and you will lean To gather me close in the old sweet way-- But oh, to the woman over the sea Who will come at the close of day?

A half-hour more and I will hear The key in the latch and the strong, quick tread-- But oh, the woman over the sea Waiting at dusk for one who is dead!

Peace

Peace flows into me As the tide to the pool by the shore; It is mine forevermore, It will not ebb like the sea.

I am the pool of blue That worships the vivid sky; My hopes were heaven-high, They are all fulfilled in you.

I am the pool of gold When sunset burns and dies-- You are my deepening skies; Give me your stars to hold.

Moods

I am the still rain falling, Too tired for singing mirth-- Oh, be the green fields calling, Oh, be for me the earth!

I am the brown bird pining To leave the nest and fly-- Oh, be the fresh cloud shining, Oh, be for me the sky!