Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SUMMER LIGHTNING by THOMAS STURGE MOORE

First Line: I WOULD RATHER RUFFLE LEAVES
Last Line: NO GIRL HAD LOVED UNLESS SHE CHOSE!
Subject(s): LOVE - NATURE OF;

I WOULD rather ruffle leaves,
Pillaging a vine,
Than 'neath my tresses shelter thieves,
Robber lips at mine.

I would rather feel the rain,
When standing under cover,
Course my out-stretched hands amain,
Than tears shed by a lover.

O Bird in the night awake,
Thou almost mak'st me weep!
Why should thy voice so shake?
Is it thy pinions ache?
What hindereth thee to sleep?
I want not to love and I will not... Oh!
Love's not worth so much! and thou dost know,
I know, and all the world too knows,
No girl had loved unless she chose!



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