I have known love. ... Should you but ask me how I know— Why I have heard the slow Song of the wind above The pines' cool consonance of woe And caught the subtle flow Of sun upon a mountain warm with snow. Once, when the edge of dawn hinged lightly on the sea— When sea's soft, searching mouth was warmed by her pink lips— I wandered where a dim perfume discreetly drips Through wordless palms and white-skinned sands stretch endlessly. And once again, at dusk, I saw the one-eyed moon Sneak from the hills and steal into the woods to stare At dusk-toned shadows of the willows' careless hair Sunk in the cautious corners of a bold lagoon. I have known love. ... Were you to ask me how I know— Why, I have heard the low Words of the mourning dove Break in an aching dawn and go Into the sullen glow Of smoke-smeared sun—and even love is so. I have known love— Ah—do not ask me how I know! .... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WAY OF THE CONVENTICLE OF THE TREES by HAYDEN CARRUTH MAGDALEN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON POETRY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SEPARATION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON JULY IN GEORGY by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ODE TO THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY by SIDNEY LANIER TO MY CLASS: ON CERTAIN FRUITS AND FLOWERS SENT ... SICKNESS by SIDNEY LANIER |