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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON THE STAIR by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON

First Line: WE SAT ON THE STAIR
Last Line: "IT SOUNDED LIKE -- ""YES!"
Subject(s): COURTSHIP;

WE sat on the stair
In the brilliant ball's glare
While music rang sweet
To the dancers' deft feet;
Then I whispered a word,
By nobody heard
Save by her on the stair
In the brilliant ball's glare.

Then she rose in reply, --
Half angered, half shy, --
Quick gathered her train
In white hands again,
And bade me come dance
Her joy to enhance;
Her reply, spoken low,
Was the tiny word, "No."

We sat on the stair
With nobody there, --
The dancers all fled,
The music sunk dead;
And her answer just then
Was not spoken for men,
But, truth to confess,
It sounded like -- "Yes!"



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