ONLY for this, dear heart, only for this Do I regret The hour earth fell away, and left our kiss A passionate star where soul and body met. Only for this, dear heart, only for this Would I -- if it were possible -- forget. For this -- that I can never see your eyes Without remembering their transfigured light That shone upon me then As Love drew near and took us by surprise. That I can never give to you again The quiet-pulsing touch of friendship only, For memory of your touch that summer night. I know that you are weary, bruised and lonely, Craving a comrade's tranquil tenderness -- But since to give you more I have no right, I needs must give you less. Is this the inevitable tax of pain Because our love was fettered to a lie -- That I must see you look to me in vain And never tell you why? Once, only once, if I might bring to you The comfortable balm for which you plead! Once, only once, if I might be and do All that you need! But slowly, surely, like a wall of stone, Our parted lives more hopelessly to sever, Rises this barrier -- to be overthrown Never. Only for this, dear heart -- only for this Do I regret. . . . | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by ROBERT FROST IRELAND (1847) by DENIS FLORENCE MCCARTHY NOBODY KNOWS BUT MOTHER by MARY MORRISON SMILE AND NEVER HEED ME by CHARLES SWAIN A SLEEPLESS NIGHT by ALFRED AUSTIN PILATE'S WIFE'S DREAM by CHARLOTTE BRONTE APPLE-SEED JOHN by LYDIA MARIA CHILD |