THEY meet to say farewell: Their way Of saying this is hard to say -- He holds her hand an instant, wholly Distressed -- and she unclasps it slowly. He bends @3his@1 gaze evasively Over the printed page that she Recurs to, with a new-moon shoulder Glimpsed from the lace-mists that infold her. The clock, beneath its crystal cup, Discreetly clicks -- @3"Quick! Act! Speak up!"@1 A tension circles both her slender Wrists -- and her raised eyes flash in splendor, Even as he feels his dazzled own. -- Then, blindingly, round either thrown, They feel a stress of arms that ever Strain tremblingly -- and @3"Never! Never!"@1 Is whispered brokenly, with half A sob, like a belated laugh, -- While cloyingly their blurred kiss closes, -- Sweet as the dew's lip to the rose's. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE AMERICAN FLAG by JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE DEAD COW FARM by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES COMMON DUST by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON IF YOU PLAY A GAME OF CHANCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE SHADOW by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |