- EVASION
HAD I loved the wind In its flight,
Or the storm-cloud darkening the blue.
Had I loved the meteor crossing the night,
I had held it closer than you!
Had I followed the path of the moon
As it quivers on each wave's crest,
I had touched the fount of its light more soon
Than the outermost veil of your breast.
Whirl on, whirl on, on your way!
I can wait, my sun-kissed flower.
At the bitter end of your burning day,
You will hang your head and the gods will say,
"She is his. It is his hour."
No! No! Forgive me, dear heart!
Even then I'll leave you free.
The long pursuit, the cruel smart,
Shall unavenged be.
Till of yourself you lift your lips,
My hour shall dwell in its eclipse.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1924.
The author died in 1963, so this work is also in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 50 years or less. This work may also be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.