(TO A LADY WHO COMPLAINED THAT OTHERS WERE NEGLECTED FOR HERSELF) IF I had loved thee less, I had been free To smile when others smiled—to hope, or fear, And lend to each such silent sympathy As well might prove a friend was listening near. But, loving thee, I have no eyes to see What others see, or feel as others feel. I have no thoughts that are not part of thee, And all my sweets from thoughts of thee I steal. By day, by night, a presence everywhere, Thy mirror'd loveliness in all I find. O task me not in others' thoughts to share, Who cannot turn from thee my trancéd mind! Thus, loving thee far more than aught beside, My world is lost,—yet thou dost merely chide! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CURTAIN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON CORPORATE ENTITY by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH THE COTTON CLUB by CLARENCE MAJOR |