I KISSED YOU, I own, but I did not suppose That you, through the papers, the deed would disclose, Like free-loving cats, when on ridgepoles they meet -- When their squalls of "You kissed me!" disturb the whole street. I kissed you. The impulse as suddenly came As that cold-looking cloud is transformed into flame; My act was the lightning that glances and thrills, And yours the loud thunder that blabs to the hills. I kissed you. As kissed the poor Cyprian boy In dreams, his Diana, so cold and so coy, And foolishly fancied -- encircling your charms -- A maid -- not a matchbox -- was clasped in my arms. I kissed you. The zephyr on tiptoe passed by, The moon with a kerchief cloud hid her soft eye; From the bough that swayed o'er us, all silvered with dew, With a half-smothered titter the katydid flew. I kissed you. All nature to counterfeit sleep, Half promised our secret so sacred to keep; No ubiquitous press correspondent peeped through The leaves. I was "interviewed" only by you. I kissed you. Then, scared at my boldness, I deemed You had fainted, or else you would surely have screamed: But no, you not only all censure forebore, But, like Oliver Twist, are now asking for "more." I kissed you. All others may do it who choose, But I to repeat the performance refuse. On your lips I will never again print a smack; By the press or by note, you may send that one back. I kissed you. The poetess Sappho of old, Like you, was so warm that her Pharon grew cold; So she ended her love and her life in a pet -- I presume there are equal facilities yet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IMAGINARY ANCESTORS: THE GIRAFFE WOMAN OF BURMA by MADELINE DEFREES DESPAIR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON LETHE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO NANNETTE FALK-AUERBACH by SIDNEY LANIER UNCLE JIM'S BAPTIST REVIVAL HYMN by SIDNEY LANIER FLUTE-PRIEST SONG FOR RAIN; CEREMONIAL AT THE SUN SPRING by AMY LOWELL |