Classic Poem

There is a momentary pause in love
When all the birth-pangs of desire are lulled ...

I wait,
And glide upon the crested surge of days
Like some sea-god, with tangled, dripping beard
And smooth hard skin, who glimpses from the sea
An earth-girl naked by the long foam fringe,
And, utterly forgetting all his life,
Hurries toward her, glad with sudden love.

Even in that pause of speed I live;
And though the great wave curl in spikes of foam
And crash me bleeding at her cool small feet
All breathless with the waters' sudden swirl,
I shall be glad of every stabbing wound
If she will hold my tired limbs to hers
And breathe wild love into my mouth and thrill
Even the blood I shed with that desire
Which throbs all through me at her lightest touch.

The loveliest girl in all our country-side,
To-day forsaken, yesterday a bride,
Seeing her love ride forth to join the wars,
With breaking heart and trembling lips implores:
" My hope is dead, my tears are blinding me,
Oh let me walk alone where breaks the sea!

" You told me, Mother, what too well I know,
How grief is long, and joy is quick to go,
But you have given him my heart that he
Might hold it captive with love's bitter key, —
My hope is dead, my tears are blinding me.
" My eyes are dim, that once were full of grace,
And ever bright with gazing on his face,
But now the tears come hot and never cease,
Since he is gone in whom my heart found peace,
My hope is dead, my tears are blinding me.

" Then do not seek to stay my grief, nor yet
To blame a sin my heart must needs forget;
For though blame were spoken in good part,
Yet speak it not, lest you should break my heart.
My hope is dead, my tears are blinding me.

" Sweet Mother mine, who would not weep to see
The glad years of my youth so quickly flee
Although his heart were flint, his breast a stone?
Yet here I stand, forsaken and alone,
My hope is dead, my tears are blinding me.

" And still may night avoid my lonely bed,
Now that my eyes are dull, my soul is dead
Since he is gone for whom they vigil keep,
Too long is night, I have no heart for sleep.
My hope is dead, my tears are blinding me,
Oh let me walk alone where breaks the sea! "