ONLY for this, dear heart, only for this Do I regret The hour earth fell away, and left our kiss A passionate star where soul and body met. Only for this, dear heart, only for this Would I -- if it were possible -- forget. For this -- that I can never see your eyes Without remembering their transfigured light That shone upon me then As Love drew near and took us by surprise. That I can never give to you again The quiet-pulsing touch of friendship only, For memory of your touch that summer night. I know that you are weary, bruised and lonely, Craving a comrade's tranquil tenderness -- But since to give you more I have no right, I needs must give you less. Is this the inevitable tax of pain Because our love was fettered to a lie -- That I must see you look to me in vain And never tell you why? Once, only once, if I might bring to you The comfortable balm for which you plead! Once, only once, if I might be and do All that you need! But slowly, surely, like a wall of stone, Our parted lives more hopelessly to sever, Rises this barrier -- to be overthrown Never. Only for this, dear heart -- only for this Do I regret. . . . | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EARTH'S IMMORTALITIES: LOVE by ROBERT BROWNING THE RIVULET by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT OLNEY HYMNS: 9. THE CONTRITE HEART by WILLIAM COWPER THE LAST RESERVATION by WALTER LEARNED MADRIGAL: 109 by MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI SONNET: 20. A FAREWELL by PHILIP SIDNEY |