Classic Poem

( IF I HAD HAD ONE )

A gleam of sunlight crowned her,
As though the morn were flinging
Its gold on her that day;
Her skirt was rippling round her
Like wild-rose bushes clinging,
And lilacs white that sway.

She came, her cheeks all glowing
With the soft breeze's blowing,
And with the sulphur bath too
Of looks that neighbors gave her
From peep-hole, crack, and door;
While she gazed back in wrath too
And, blushing more than ever,
Grew prettier than before.
Her bold bright eyes gave token
That all her warmth of being
Was bursting from control;
That all the buds had broken,
And all the brooks were freeing
Their clamor in her soul.

I felt that all the spring then,
With larks upon the wing then
And wind-flowers in her traces,
Ran up with glad embraces
To seize and capture me;
And kissed me, gently laying
Her breast to mine, and saying:
“Come, love me, be near me,
And take me up and bear me
This instant home with thee!”