THIS tress of hair my sweetheart sent to me, And so I bent above it tenderly And kissed the dainty bow That bound the wisp of sunshine, thrilled forsooth, Because her lips had nestled there -- in truth, She told me so. And I remember, reading that, the flush That fevered all my face, and the heart's hush And hurry in my ears; And how the letter trembled and grew blurred Until my eyes could read no other word -- For happy tears. This tress of hair! Why, I did hug and hold It here against my heart, and call it gold With Heaven's own luster lit; And I did stroke and smooth its gleaming strands, And pet and fondle it with foolish hands, And talk to it! And now I pray God's blessing may alight Upon the orange flowers she wears tonight. Her features -- keep them fair, Dear Lord, but let her lips not quite forget The love they kindled once is gilding yet This tress of hair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BALLAD OF HUMAN LIFE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES ONLY ONE MOTHER by GEORGE COOPER AN INDIGNATION DINNER by JAMES DAVID CORROTHERS CHANSON INNOCENTE: 2, FR. TULIPS by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS by GREGORY I TO A CHILD EMBRACING HIS MOTHER by THOMAS HOOD |