Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IF, by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON


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First Line: What had I been, lost love, if you had loved me?
Last Line: You will not find in gardens that are new.
Alternate Author Name(s): Chandler, Ellen Louise
Subject(s): Love - Loss Of


WHAT had I been, lost Love, if you had loved me?
A woman, smiling as the smiling May, --
As gay of heart as birds that carol gaily
Their sweet young songs to usher in the day --

As ardent as the skies that brood and brighten
O'er the warm fields in summer's happy prime, --
As tender as the veiling grace that softens
The harshest shapes in twilight's tender time.

Like the soft dusk I would have veiled your harshness
With tendernesses that were not your due, --
Your very faults had blossomed into virtues
Had you known how to love me and be true.

It had been well for you, -- for me how blessèd!
But shall we ask the wind to blow for aye
From one same quarter, -- keep at full for ever
The white moon smiling in a changeless sky?

Change is the law of wind and moon and lover, --
And yet, I think, lost Love, had you been true,
Some golden fruits had ripened for your plucking
You will not find in gardens that are new.






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