Hi Hi JHHI HiMH BW.95S ■«£'.: bmUBH IB IHl «^fi^^»slsl*^w?ffra^^^^^^TOS^ igSgfl 9wi ii§!»iii§iij^ i lfil^K^Ji^§'Mp^i^^^^^^^cr^ IfS 8$jl ^ftiO^c?^^0"J j^i*' 5 -4^' '*i''M^^^ H ^i^i^< Kj^^S^U f~g II Class Book Copyright^ 10 COPYRIGHT DEPOSm Oku N'AihLfc i> » /AT THE NAME OF LOVE BY MILDRED CRISS McGUCKIN TTfoe Iknicfterbocker press NEW YORK 1917 T53SOS- .TUT 3 Is Copyrighted by MILDRED CRISS McGUCKIN 1917 NOV 30 1917 (DGI.A4793J - Q£ Go MY FATHER WHOSE COURAGE FILLED MY LIFE WITH LOVE CONTENTS I— IN THE SUNLIGHT PAGE Beaumaris ........ 3 The Rustic ....... 5 A New Day 8 Dawn 9 Sunset 10 From a Train 11 Lac Leman 13 Out of the Far- way . . . . . .14 Symphony 15 On the Mountain . . . . . • 17 October 18 II— IN THE MOONLIGHT Greater than all Else . . . . .21 To Hear you Laugh ...... 22 Thy Call 24 The Letter 26 A Lover's Song 28 v VI Contents White One PAGE 29 Together into Life . • 30 The Singer • 32 Supplication • 34 An Appeal . • 35 Once Thine • 37 How Long? • 38 You .... . 40 One Last Word r 41 When • 43 III— IN THE FIRELIGHT At the End a Meeting • 47 The Last Dream • 52 An Old Man's Song . • 55 In the South Wind • 56 The Lost Prayer • 57 To a Cigarette . • 58 Masques . 60 IV— IN THE DARK After All ...... • 73 Another Star ...... . 74 Master One . 76 Contents vii PAGE Suicides ........ 78 Over All 79 Retrospect 80 A Litany 82 The Deceit of it All 83 Moods 86 The Long Road 88 The Run 89 Too Much for a Word 91 I In the Sunlight BEAUMARIS At Beaumaris, The low moon's like an orange lantern burning golden fire That falls in waving shafts of light across the Straits; All Anglesea Is painted lavender and rose; deep twilight wakes desire Within the blood ; each evening star illuminates Love's eyes, At Beaumaris. At Beaumaris On Anglesea, I and my shadow wander 'cross the lawn Alone, counting the useless imprints of our feet ; All Anglesea Is made for love and lovers with their dreams of life unborn ; I cannot bear the salt-scent, or the deep sea- beat: I go From Beaumaris. 3 4 Beaumaris From Anglesea I seek the heather-hills of Wales, and build in Beddgelert A little house of crumbling stone to hide my age; And Beaumaris Will live for me in dreams of love until my last sunset Turns gray: one star o'er Snowdon in my heri- tage To Beaumaris On Anglesea, THE RUSTIC They never stop! Those half-mad motorists, that run Through countryside, by-lane, and hill. Speed- ing From cities reeking with their toil, they miss the sun, Mist-veiled across the low-lands. Still heed- ing Naught, they miss shadow-clouds blowing across the hill. They never stop to heed the stars. They miss the song Of sleepy birds calling their mates. Their lights Flash on, on, ever on, like drunken eyes that long For rest. Their throbbing motors drown the night's Song of the woodland brook and drowsy whip- poor-will ; They miss the blackish blue of silent pools that lie 5 6 The Rustic Shadowed and rippled by the willow's edge; They're, blind to feather clouds that breast an opal sky, Or silken meadow grass, and mossy ledge Where aged turtles basque, and air their rounded shells. And heedless of all living save themselves, they speed On past my garden hedge, their cruel wheels Crush down my animals, leaving them there to bleed, IndifFrent to their lives, or how it feels ! God grant that they, these puny great men, find their hells. I, just a stupid farmer, sleeping out my years Of solitude, know more of life than they; I have been nearer God, tasted his smiles and tears, And known the majesty of Faith. The day And night, all varying, are given men to spend Close to the heart of things; alive to each appeal That comes from scented rose or rarer flower, Responding to the touch, the looks of love that steal From creatures less intelligent, whose power Is hindered by the lack of speech. So to the end, The Rustic 7 I will find far more meaning in the scheme of things Than they who hurry past not heeding life, Or knowing half the lasting joy that stillness brings, The beauty of love children. See my wife With love all through the years aglow in her dear eyes, No sad estrangement, born of crowded days, Has marred our happiness. And as I see The revelers pass by in haste, so strange their ways, I wonder what they seek, what destiny. Have they so much who all life's little things despise? A NEW DAY See o'er the wine-red sunrise, star-light is fading 'way; Amethyst mists are drifting, drifting out to the sea ; Hear through the dune grass swaying, morning winds greet the day, Fragrant their breath from night dews' linger- ing witchery. Feel in the warm light creeping softly across the lawn, Life to a world of creatures rising from out their sleep : Whisper in prayer "Good morning," unto an- other dawn ; Go to the merry, laughing; stop with the sad to weep. DAWN The moon is lost in the mist of morn ; The stars are falling to sleep ; Salt-laden winds in the cool gray dawn Are wafted ashore from the deep ; Life-dreams are born to vanish and die As the sun casts a diamond-path o'er the sea Pearl tinted vapours awake in the sky With shadows of dreams to be. SUNSET Still seas; gray shadows drifting from the land; Long lines of dead waves foaming on the sand ; A greenish swell rolls in, outlined against the spray, And on the sky-line, just one sail drifting away To banks of fog that move in from the East : Low dunes reflect the rose of sunset skies; The sands turn burnished gold, lavender lies Beneath the crests of curling waves. The sand- snipes trace Their tiny footprints, curving, twisting like fine lace, Back to their nests on salted bugs to feast. The dying wind drops down beyond the sun; Silence o'er all; a sense of all things done Comes with the waking stars. Long paths of warm gold light Fade from the glowing sky, and stealthily the night Wraps in its mantle weary man and beast. IO FROM A TRAIN Fields of green, dotted with yellow mustard flower, High banks lined with clinging fern, Bogs, and half-burned woodlands, farms that nestle in a Clearing, brackish bays that turn Lazily throughout the marshlands, sandy stretches Bare except for stunted pines, Now a wheat field's feather surface, now a swamp of Tangled roots, and wild fruit vines, Then a cloud of smoke that blurs the landscape, then a Whistle's shriek, that dulls the grind Of steel wheels on the track, no sound from the outside Country racing on behind — Now a pine-tree thicket carpeted with mosses, Now a long straight roadway Stretching to a patch of bright sky, o'er the quiet ii i2 From a Train Blue-gray water of a bay, Now a town with weather-beaten roofs and ugly Yards clustered in the sun, Then a fog, and through the whiteness, wires and poles all Run a race that's never won. Endless grind, and grind, and grind of wheels, endless smoke, Endless passing out of sight, Now the dusk, the round sun sinking in a cloud- less Sky that quickly turns to night, Now the tunnel's blackness, many shuffling feet that Seek impatiently the Passageway, men and women, children, porters, Pushing, talking, nervously; Motionless the train stands panting. Strange white faces Hurry by in eagerness. One in all the crowd is coming to me — now his Voice, his hands, and his caress ! LAC LEMAN Opal clouds o'er narrow sands Sink in a copper sea ; Mem'ries rise in mountain mists Drifting to ecstasy; Great night draws the sea and sky Folding their souls as one ; Love to love ! God to man ! Life's perfect rule be done. 13 OUT OF THE FAR-WAY Dreams in a drifting mist, a voice in the sunset breeze, Peace in the dim-veiled mountain peaks falls o'er the restless trees; Diamond-tipped, the crescent moon breaks through a fading cloud ; Eyes of the evening wake, o'er day in an opal shroud ; Night touches the silent lips of day ; the power of unseen hands Summons the dying soul of love to realms of far- away lands. 14 SYMPHONY Drowsy glades and somber shades echo the laughing pines ; Fairy tones and falling cones rustle the ivy vines. All the woods are deep in a noon-day sleep And the tree-trunks molding lie; The myrtles are hiding down by the side Of the willow trees that sigh. Cool winds stir the silver fir, waving their crests on high ; Early June brings forth her moon to ride an amber sky; Then the soft dusk falls and the young owl calls To the will-o'-the-wisps that fly, And the shadows meet at their dancing feet As the sprightly elves run by. Fairies sweet on mosses meet where jewel dews have lain — Incense land — none understand if they know not pain: 15 1 6 Symphony And the mystery of our ecstasy Springs up from the dampened earth, While the woodlands deep, in their dreamless sleep Are whispering songs of mirth. ON THE MOUNTAIN The frozen cataract's white fangs of crystalline Sparkle beneath the sun against the crested evergreen; The jagged rocks lay bare their icy pinnacles Under a vault of blue and white, that draws the frost unseen From lowland towns that slumber still and mountainous ravine. The silent hills stretch out like waves of stone; the snow- capped mountain peaks shadow the valleys through the mist, and go Behind the drifting clouds of fire and gold that race Across the waking sky. Then rise, man, from your sleep and show Dawn as a vision of Heaven, unto the world below. 17 OCTOBER Skies so blue they lend their color to the frosted world below, Tinting shadows azure, purple; thridding clouds like banks of snow ; Frosty nights of stars at arms' length, dawns of fire and then the glow Of Indian Summer dawning skies : Whirls of apple, dead leaves burning, blow around the chimney grate, Arbor grapevines laden purple, bend above a rustic gate; Colors riot through the asters and the sunbeams delicate Kiss Indian Summer butterflies. Dying corn-shucks stacked like soldiers hold their stately russet line; Leaf on leaf in scarlet, amber, falls from off the ivy vine; Drop by drop the blood falls slowly from this dying heart of mine — Love's Indian Summer sacrifice. 18 II In the Moonlight 19 GREATER THAN ALL ELSE Dear little hand about my finger tips, How could I know before you came How much a part of love you are? Dear lips Warm on my breast, am I to blame Because I could not know thee as thou art ? Eyes like the twilight stars, look up at me Innocently yet strangely wise. Surely a part of God's great mystery Beats in thy heart. I close my eyes In pain, so great this new love in my heart. 21 TO HEAR YOU LAUGH I've traveled 'cross the night ; the fireflies lit the way Among the shadowed leaves ; The highroad dust is on my feet ; my lips Are parched for water, yet I wait to hear you say One happy word ; I spend The starlight to the end ; I've come to hear you laugh. I cannot ask you if your days are filled with song, Yet I must know no pain Is lurking in your eyes while I stand by In idleness, afraid of circumstance. I long To know that tenderness Falls in your least caress; I've come to hear you laugh. As silently as darkness o'er an evening cloud I come to you, my heart 22 To Hear You Laugh 23 On fire. I crush the heart-song on my lips And stand here mute, afraid to speak aloud Lest I should cause you pain: Love, I am here again; I've come to hear you laugh. THY CALL From dreams that brush my tired eyes, with mists of loveliness And fragrance from a wealth of wild-wood flowers newly blown, Into the velvet blackness of the night's deep wilderness I journey forth and mock the rolling thunder clouds alone, Because you call to me. From Life that shines on me in copper-colored radiance I turn aside, knowing no other light than love, no creed But thy desire; I come, then, slave to thy first word's utterance And lay immortal love beneath thy feet, knowing the need Thou hast of me to call. In Death I rise again from out vast solitude To follow thee in shadow form, holding thee close to me 24 Thy Call 25 To lead thee back at length to God's great sanctitude; Soul bare to soul, and one at last throughout Infinity, Because you call to me. THE LETTER At last your letter comes, and with its coming, all the throbbing pain That lies within a joy too deep for smiles alone: Cold little words they seem, and yet your voice and laughter once again Echoes within my heart. There's something in the tone Of what you say that hints of such control that I grow sad And wonder if you dare not say what's in your heart. I love you all the more for such consideration, dear, and had I strength myself would crush mine own thoughts ere they start To hurt you in my answer. Yet there's just the chance that you may care to have me say all that I feel — I see your eyes, then, in the silent pathway of the stars at night, And hear your voice at dawning when I wake from sleep ; 26 The Letter 27 I cherish ev'ry memory we hold in common, lest the light Of ev'ry day existence turn them gray. I keep The last touch of your hand a thing apart; the warmth of your caress Still brings the warm blood to my face, and still the ache I felt on leaving you burns in my throat, and all your tenderness Lives in my mind. And sometimes all my strength could break From longing for your touch again, your voice, your laughter, and your eyes ; But over us the star of love burns vividly — Our star — God put it there to light us on our road of sacrifice, And it shall burn for us throughout Eternity. So now good-night, Dearheart, look once and find the star that burns for us, and then with me to God, just kneel. A LOVER'S SONG The wish of the rose is the sun; And meadow grass longs for the dew; A weary moon calls for the dawn, But my call, Dearheart, is for you. The sandy beach longs for the sea; The cry of the sea is for rest ; And fog-banks are calling the wind, But I call you close to my breast. Snow mountain tops long for the sky, And valleys are sick for the rain; A song-sparrow cries for its mate, And I cry to see you again. The long summer days want evening, And nights want their silences deep ; The stars long to hold up the sky, But I long to hold you in sleep. 28 WHITE ONE You are fever on my lips, drying all my blood. 'Til I'm parched with thirst for you, White One of the night ; You are pain within my throat, aching, burning there, 'Til the thought of death grows sweet, White One of delight : You are pale, and cool, and still, lying in my arms; You are warm, and red, and gay, laughing at the dawn; At your touch I am a man, filled with youth and life, But my heart is old and torn after you have gone: You are fire within my breast, scalding all my veins ; You are waters cool and deep drawing all my strength ; You are weakness, you are strength, White One, you are love; You have made me what I am, make me yours at length. 29 TOGETHER INTO LIFE Hush! The thrush Is calling to its mate; Night is setting sail its star-filled ships ; Love! Above The dark is falling late; Fill me with the fragrance of your lips ; Let me forget the drumming of the world's cold song. Pale! The frail White rose is drooping now, Sick from breathing its own loveliness : Thrill And still The aching in my brow; Touch me with the fire of your caress ; Show me the love that aches to live this long night through. Wake! And make 30 Together into Life 31 Our love a thing apart ; Mingle your soft breath with mine to-night ; Sleep! And weep A little then, Sweetheart ; Realization brings more than delight, Leading the way from adolesence into life: Trust! Adjust Your scheme of life to mine; I will keep you all in all to me, Care, And share My blood with yours like wine, To keep our married love an ecstasy I, as a lover will adore just you, my wife. THE SINGER What if you bar your gates, I know the way to a pool where I may see Your eyes within the bright reflection of the sky; What if you chose a stranger in your wanderings, if it makes you glad I'll go then, singing o'er the road for passers- by. What if the waning night lingers too long, I will wait in your garden Beside the blossoms of the heliotrope that bend With their own weight, calling your name in prayers that are stifled with my pain, But morn shall find me singing at the long road's end. What if you should not return but go on your way with another, I should not cry your name to emptiness, but crush 32 The Singer 33 All of the rose's fragrance close to my frozen lips, mingling my song Throughout the summer with the long notes of the thrush. Though I die in pain if you find your happiness my songs rejoice; But night finds me longing for the dreams that go Back to the touch of your hands holding me through the night : but day by day The highroad is wearying for singers, I must go. SUPPLICATION Come back and touch me ere the pain Of loving thee is gone; All my intensity is vain Without thy laugh, thy song — I stagnate with the commonplace Dreading to wake alone, For I have known just thine embrace, Never an overtone; Dearheart, is not the sacrifice Too dear? Give me thy hand; Caress the fever from mine eyes And silent, understand. 34 AN APPEAL One look into my eyes, and I would under- stand, Ah why begrudge me this? Dearheart, I cannot ask the pressure of your hand, Your spoken word, or kiss, But just to know from you the truth — let it be now, then go Your busy way with men; Leave me to understand alone, knowing I know, What matter silence then? Or is it pride that makes you bar your heart to me, Feeling the wall between Us as you do? Look back, dear, at the past and see Just love. 'Twas nothing mean That made me leave your side. I loved you, dear, but you Impassive, let me go Beyond your call, create my interests anew. And you? — How could I know? 35 36 An Appeal And now that all is past, I long to know from thee The truth. Surely no stain Would fall on your white honor just to let me see; Is not your silence vain? Take down the barriers that stand before our feet Just once ; then pay the price Of knowing all. Together let us meet A common sacrifice. ONCE THINE Look back, Dearheart, into the memory we hold as one, And feel a warm breath trembling close to thee for day is done. Forget the long road winding far apart for thee and me, Lay bare thy soul, thy heart, just once to me in secrecy. For life would cheat us, dear, of all its best, that precious spark Of love. Once thine, then welcome all the rest of pain and dark. 37 HOW LONG? Beyond the walls of time that crumbling fall Will you be there in case we meet to call My name, and claim me thine from out the past? Such vital love as yours, dear, can it last? How long across the barriers of space, Strange customs, languages, and distant place, Can you hold sacred promises long made? The darkness falls, dear, I'm alone, afraid. Afraid lest time may rob us of the truth, And substitute for love just beauty, youth; Unnatural loneliness presents a test That all may fall beneath, even the best. I would forgive ourselves playing the game; Forgetting for the moment, if the same Deep overwhelming love could live on through The ev'ry days of life. Can it for you? Look back, Dearheart, and feel our love again, Poignant with hope, and sweet even to pain ; 38 How Long? 39 The glow of dusk and firelight's on my face; I tremble 'neath your eyes and your embrace. Each day that passes leaves a scar of pain, And on the thread of life an aching strain Too great. Is it not so with you? Shall we Face years of this, cold but for memory. Or shall we crush out all that hurts and then Leave love to rot, taking our place with men As actors, bowing on the stage of fame? For me it is enough to love thy name. With you it may be diff 'rent, in your hand Is strength to govern men. I understand ; Accept all life, Dearheart; my lips are sealed; Mine eyes are closed to futures unrevealed. YOU You, who would have none of me, know that your laugh has echoed through each garden that I knew; You, who turned away from me, know that your voice has prayed for me each time I tasted grief : You, who turned your eyes like steel to mine in tears, I love the pain that you have given me: You, who have wrung the faith in God from out my soul and left me wandering, I love you: You, who live your life in joy while I must die in grief, burn but one candle on my bier. 40 ONE LAST WORD I cannot see thy face, Dearheart; the fire is low; Put on another log. 'Tis scarcely dawn, And this our last night here together. When you go, Go with a laugh upon your lips, the morn Gilding the skies. But now, one moment more or less What harm? It must be for all time we part. Our solemn word is given others. This caress Must be the last. See how the shadows dart And fate, frightened because they know the dawn is due. Ah ! love, look up at me ! To suffer there Prostrate before the fire is madness. Surely you And I have known great love. 'Tis only fair For us to pay our price. We are not cowards — we Who dared so much in life. No! Morning breaks ! 41 42 One Last Word I hear the rattling carts. Let's laugh in memory Of what was ours. We made our mad mis- takes And lost; but now all that is past. At last we know Our better selves. See ! I am smiling, love, Stand up and face the dawn. Just hold me! There ! Now go ! WHEN October. Goldenrod with asters swaying, russet, purple in the field ; Woods all flecked with amber, crimson, autumn touched and autumn sealed ; Meeting, would the spell of mem'ries draw you tome? Would you yield ? January. Stiff, stark branches black and frozen 'gainst a dreary winter sky ; Frosted roads long, bleak, and empty, lead from cold to cold and lie Naked to the blowing snowdrifts. Meeting, would you pass me by ? May. Orchards glowing rose-pink, fragrant bending over velvet green Meadow grass, where dogwood whitens 'gainst a sky aquamarine ; Meeting when the world is waking, would old shadows come between ? 43 44 When August. Sands salt-scented fade away to heat mirages, and the sea Shadowed amethyst and silver, foams a little playfully ; Meeting there, the world forgotten, would you give your love to me? Ill In the Firelight 45 AT THE END A MEETING As I sit before the hearthstone, watching em- bers turning gray, Underneath the blue and red flames dancing Time and place both fade away. And my chiffon peignoir glimmers in the flick'- ring shadow light; Heliotrope and columbine so fragrant, Clustered in a tight bouquet, Press their cool cheeks on my hot throat, bidding memories awake. Now beside a brook I wander in the Woodlands ; now I hesitate, Listening to a whistle in the distance. Now I laugh and run, Arms outstretched, to greet him, partner in youth's Sweet romance. Then a small snake, Sprawling near us in our pathway, starts and glides off aimlessly. How we laughed and watched his brown and yellow Markings blend into a tree. 47 48 At the End a Meeting Hand in hand, the warm blood racing through our veins, we ran and ran Through the ferns and o'er the pine-cones to a Lily pool, where secretly We swam, splashing in and out the deep cool water, laughing too, When the ooze sucked at our feet and held us Prisoners, 'til we'd rescue One another. Then exhausted, sleepy, we would bask awhile On the sun-kissed mosses, telling stories, Dreaming dreams that must come true. Now the shadows deepen, mists before my eyes have blurred my dream. Chill the room too, from the fog-wind blowing 'Cross the marshlands; now a gleam From a falling log relights the vision. Standing on a dock, Crowded now with loved-ones, watching as the Steamer gathers strength to steam Silently away; within my throat an ache that burns and tears All strength from my heart: he goes; and, with his Going, youth for evermore At the End a Meeting 49 Dies within my heart. He takes another with him. White and cold I turn away, facing pain that knows no Cure save Death's starless stream, or Time's slow, pitiless relief. — The days and weeks, all colorless Pass by, bringing no explanation, no Word of him, and my distress, Turning into bitterness, leaves me devoid of every wish Save one — seeing, with my eyes awakened, Life's cold world of ugliness. Shutters creak about my cottage; rafters moan so dolefully In the wind, that half-afraid I listen Tense in vague expectancy. Then to see the doors and windows barred, and put another log On the altar of my dreams. I see now Little faces eagerly Looking into mine with laughing starlike eyes; then baby hands Reaching to me, begging me to take them, Yet they cannot understand; 50 At the End a Meeting Babies all who have no home, no mother-love; willingly I'd Die to call them mine, yet I can but play each Day with them in wonderland. Knowing them I learn to love anew, but with a love grown old. Seeing their loneliness makes my sorrow, Like a dampened flame, grow cold. Laughing, yes, and happy in my work among the poor, I lay Grief aside as wicked. Real life offers Us such problems to unfold, Why waste time in useless longing for a dream that might have been. Now that I am old and useless with no Part to play in man's routine, I may dream my dreams at evening in the em- bers' dancing light; Dream my dreams and let my heart break in the Darkness here alone, unseen. How the wind blows ! How the dampness creeps in through the crevasses ! Hear the dead waves in the distance sounding Never ending restlessness ! At the End a Meeting 51 Somewhere from the depths, white hands reach starward ; somewhere voices call ; I can see them — hear them, and my soul in Death seeks their unhappiness. Someone knocks ! — Surely 'tis no one ! — yet I hear them at the door, Knocking, knocking rapidly. I'll see then Who it is. But no, before I go I will straighten out my laces, brush away my tears. Wait then ! I am coming. See, I turn the Key. No doubt 'tis some footsore Traveler. But no! The door swings open. — Oh my God! 'Tishe! He who stands here, arms outstretched to take me, Hold me, silent, tenderly — Love's too strong and I'm too weak now. Depths are calling ! I must go ! Even his strong arms can't keep me. Death is Calling, calling me to sea. "No, no words, just kiss me, kiss me. In your arms, dear, let me cry. All's forgotten — all's forgiven. Hold me — hold me — let me die." THE LAST DREAM (Of Childhood) Once more to pass the rustic gate, once more To seek the meadows hidden by the hedge, And rest in the ragged field of goldenrod And scrubby pine-trees marshaled in a line Guarding the stillness of a happy world. Where every day together you and I Built iridescent castles in our dreams. (Of Adolescence) Blue Heaven rippled by a thousand clouds; Stillness, and sparkling mountain air, and all The valleys outlined purple 'gainst the hills; Once more to touch you, hold you, listen to your Voice echoed on the cliff across the lake, And wander homeward to the little freshly Painted town where fragrant wood-smoke curls from Out the red brick chimney tops as evening Falls. Once again with you beneath the hills 52 The Last Dream 53 Alone, while the clear-eyed stars watch over us And light the long still evenings that we spend Each heart to each, brave in our untried faith. (Of Full Life) Once more the hot breath of the city streets, Stifling the little sufferers as they lie Wide-eyed and pale, the nervous crowds seek out Their destinations, weary at the close Of day, and I, I wander listlessly, Waiting your departure that I and my pain May seek oblivion in the tangle of Men's lives unknown to you. — You pass, and in The flicker of the street lamp I can see Your eyes smiling into his. Now in the night's Hot stillness I am there again beside A wharf as the smooth water glides by at my feet; Deep night and the rain, and a dawn that holds part Of all the darkness of the night, and you, You are gone. — (Of Old Age) Firelight thrids the dusk; my lamp Is flick'ing in a breath of wind that brings 54 The Last Dream The voices of your children to my ear. They Are coming to my door to beg me tell Stories. Once again I hear their laughter as They cluster round me. Once again I see Your eyes in theirs, and hear your voice ringing in Their own. I kiss and send them back to you, Warmed by the imprint of their little hands, And warm within my heart because they love Me too. In my room all the blinds are drawn ; I Am waiting for the night to bring me rest. And you, are you tired too? Soon you will come And lay your hand in mine. — Beyond the sea, The white line of the sky is clear; I know That you will come, for I have waited long. AN OLD MAN'S SONG Oh! little singing bird, the song within thy throat Is tuned to wake the violets; each trembling note Bids frightened butterflies spread out their gauzy wings And seek the sun. There is no messenger that sings Of Spring as thee. Sing on of love for I am old. Oh! little singing bird, I call thee Chickadee Because thy merry voice is as a child's to me; Sing on thy laughing summer song; the fall is nigh, And soon, my singing bird, both you and I shall die; Sing on of love, my Chickadee, for I am old. 55 IN THE SOUTH WIND I stood within a garden of noonday shadows deep, Where lotus buds were drooping in winds that whispered sleep ; The sands were flecked with silver by pools aquamarine, And ivy vines entwining caressed the mosses green; The south wind in the hedges murmured in undertone To leave the lighted highway and live for love alone. 56 THE LOST PRAYER The lost prayer of a soul is spent On voiceless winds that sweep From barren heights past man's ascent, And swaying forests deep, To valleys dim in meadow mists And citied lands of toil, Cross opal sands that lie wave-kissed — An ocean's naked spoil — Beyond, as midnight sea and earth Are lost in mystery, Dream-children of a soul have birth In solemn harmony. 57 TO A CIGARETTE Slim white enchantress, With fiery eye, Frail tissue temptress, Thy lovers would die Craving thee, braving Thee, even as I. See how I press thee And play with thee yet ; Loving, caress thee My own paper pet ; Slender and tender Countess Cigarette. Dangerous Darling, The touch of thy tips Keeps me from starving; There, close to my lips Thrill me and still me With opiate sips. 58 To a Cigarette 59 Gypsy Godiva, All white save thine eye; Dearest Deceiver, Thy lovers would die Kissing thee, missing Thee, even as I. MASQUES A SKETCH Time — Moonlight . Scene — On a Terrace. Characters — He She Others (Six or eight masqued couples, in fancy dress, are waltzing to and fro across the terrace. Moon- light and shadows fall across them. The strains of a waltz drift through the trees. The music ceases.) The Host. Ladies and gentlemen, I beg you cease This modern dance ; the moonlight is too bright, Come, let us dream awhile of old romance, And choose our partners for a minuet. (Laughter amongst the group, as the partners are chosen, but another is before Him, and draws 60 Masques 61 Her away. The minuet music starts and the dance begins. Towards the close of the minuet, He steps on Her dress, tearing the lace. The dance ceases and the others draw away into the shadows.) He Canst thou forgive me? See I have torn thy dress So misty white and cloud-like that I fain Would weave the silken tissue back again And have thee smile thy pardon down on me. She Hearing thee speak such words of penitence Is worth far more than laces. Do I know Thee? Are we but strangers here, meeting by chance Behind two masques, and is the thrill I feel On hearing thy voice but the spell of the night ? He Dear Lady, whiter than the whitest star, 62 Masques Something's familiar in thy loveli- ness, And yet I cannot call thy name. Can there Be madness in the wanton wind, lighting A spark of love between us suddenly ? Here in the shadowlight, come dream with me Of night that whispers secrets man should know. She Promise thou wilt not lift the masque from off My face, and I will stay. No one must know Me for I am not free to touch thy hand. Yet for one moment more or less, what harm? Promise thou wilt not lift the masque from off My face. He And I am no more free than thou, Neither shall know the other, yet the woods Masques 63 Shall know us both and keep our secret deep Within its shade. She Shadowed by fir-trees sighing, softly, we Will wander hand in hand apart From life and the insincere laughter of men. We'll dance o'er jewel moonbeam paths, Winding through scented groves where lotus lie On rippling ponds; we'll sip the night- Mist from the brook, and count each icy star That melts within the flames of dawn. Dreaming to-night will make the morrow sweet ; No day can make us e'er regret This magic hour. He Love at thy call I am here. My heart awakens from stagnant sleep 64 Masques Hearing thee speak, and elves are dancing through My blood ; my youth has come again Poignant with love's intensity. Love I Must touch thee e're the ache within my throat Crushes my breath. She Masque, thou art mad with the moon That falls in veils of misty light About our eyes— He Yes, and 'tis thee whom I love! She Touch not my lips, but rather lay thy cool (Music from below the terrace.) Hand on my cheek. Fever and lightning dart through My veins, and I am trembling here to be Within thine arms. {Goes to him.) Dance with me ! Moments like these Are dearer than Eternity. Passion's Masques 65 Exquisite flower pours out her fra- grance Before us. Come! — Into the moon- light ! Dance ! (They dance away to a Bohemian melody. At the end of the dance she falls exhausted, he bends over her and lifts her in his arms. The night turns gray; the dawn breaks amber and rose.) He Look to the East! A flame of red burns all The sky. The pale stars trembling, fade, and morn, Waking the world from dreams of ecstacy, Will part us all too soon . She A moment now Beside thee ; then into the empty light of Day, I into a home where love has died Leaving just ashen memories to wake In silent shadows. Every day and night 66 Masques Spends its unthinking hours in commonplace Reality. I do not dare to dream Fearing the pain that would arise on thoughts Of tenderness. Yet I am starved for love. He E'en so within my home. I too am starved ; Unthinking she and I have drifted on 'til I, who am her husband, know her least of all The world. She How strange that men should suffer so, Dying perhaps, rather than voice their heartache, Or beg one touch, one look to kindle love. So it will be until the hungry meet Each other, just as we have done, strangers Seeking we know not what, but satis- fied Masques 67 To glow beneath each others' touch awhile. He Morning has climbed from under- neath the world And the blue sky from the folds of night; So you have drawn my soul to you. Just with Your fragrant hands you've swept away the dust From Life's highway ; now as I go my way Perhaps I'll look at men and smile once more. Who knows? She Touch me again that I may take a spark Of this new love away with me. Crush me That I may wake to-morrow hurting from The force of thine embrace. I've starved so long. He Promise you will not let the memory Of me, a masquer, make you sad. 68 Masques Think of my love as hovering by you. In every moment that you seem alone Feel my voice whispering, "I love you." In The night-time when you long to hear a voice Singing to you of love, for silently I follow in each path-way that you go, Counting the dust from off thy feet as gold. No night shall pass but that I bend my knees Before you, lest thou suffer loneliness ; No day but that I beg thee let me serve. Give me thy last caress in promise that Thou wilt not grieve! She Speak not of parting yet, Morning has scarcely stirred the sleeping birds With its soft wind. The shadows dart and fade, Masques 69 Frightened because they know the morn is here. But thou art not as cowardly as they, Stay with me but a moment more, this night Has been a dream, an intermission of Life's dull routine. You do not know my name; I would not have you know, more beautiful This madness as it is. Give me thy hand! He Think 'st thou I do not know thy name? I know It well. All night the stars have spelled it out In stones of fire across the sky : the wind Whispered thy secret to me e're thou laid Thy hand in mine. I knew thee when thou ran Laughing and smiling 'cross the ball- room floor. 70 Masques She Who am I then? He First promise that thou wilt Not retract this love thou hast given me! (She goes to him and kisses him; He takes her in his arms and holds her to him, pushing her at arm's length he exclaims — ) Thou art my wife ! And I adore thee ! (Embrace each other.) Curtain IV In the Dark 71 AFTER ALL Madness, a voice half prayer, half song, Passion, an empty gain of hands, lips, eyes; Awakening, a price, a long Road winding on to sacrifice, And then regret — But yet, Can this be Love? A row of shadow shapes throughout The fog passing in silence one by one, A wisp of light, a laugh, a doubt, A pile of ashes in the sun Smoulders regret ; And yet, Can this be Life? 73 ANOTHER STAR Tall white candles burning on a snow-white altar piece, Over the Cross a golden shaft of sunlight falls; Silence, rows of wide-eyed little boys, whose whispers cease When, from the vaulted depths, an organ's thunder calls Echoes of God to earth. Kneeling here, his small white hands enclasped, his eyes shut tight, A child whispers a prayer; "Oh, give her back to me, Dear God, or let me go to her. " An acolite Puts out each candle, bowing low. Then silently The people turn to go. Gold and rose light mingle with the dusk; night and its shadows start To wrap the world in folds of gray close to their breast. 74 Another Star 75 Little boy who prayed so for thy mother's touch, God saw thy heart And took thee up into her arms again. So rest. Another star is born. " MASTER ONE New leaves that lie unborn throughout the frost open their fragrant lips to taste the sun ; The hollow stillness of the cloudless night is guarded by the wakeful stars that gaze Into the fathomless abyss that hangs above the world; and Thou, Great Silent One, Rekindles warmth within the branches of the trees, making the sap like foaming wine Run to the smallest feather tip that rides the sunny air. The grass sips in the dew And carpets all the fields with green. The dusty earth sends forth its weeds to feed the birds Who mate and breed their young. The winter skies of gray grow old and dying, leave the blue And white of summer as a canopy of light above the earth. It is Thy will To lengthen shadows as the day blends fire-lit sunsets with the purple of the night ; It is Thy voice that sounds in thunder clouds, Thine eyes that look on us in lightning as 76 Master One 77 We tremble at what seems Thy pitiless rebuke, yet weakest wild-wood buds invite The violence of storms, knowing far more than we, who cannot see beyond the length Of our own shadows on the road. Nature and Thee are One, and we are prisoners, Held by our bodies in the dark apart. And Thou, who art Thou then, and is Thy strength Strength after all? And is our every weakness, weak? — Such questions come from lips of fools. Man cannot make the day less sultry, or an hour less long ; man cannot wake the sod And make it yield a rose. The soul of life itself is still a mystery to all Beyond the reach of carnate minds; yet some men dare to doubt that Thou, Great Master One, art God. SUICIDES The river dark'ning, winds on to the bay ; The greenish swirls are gathering about the piles That, rotting, totter in each wind that blows Upon their oily boards. An ugly boat Rocks up and down, and shivers in the trough Of waves from tide and wind — a boat that waits beside A net to gather unimaginable forms By day and night, that drift, not knowing, out to sea. Ten thousand see the light that shines within The stars, as if some one were smiling in the sky; But they see not, who float on out to sea ; Love smiles and lays a baby hand upon the breast Of some, but they feel not the warmth, who drift On silently. A few may cry their name, but they Hear not, nor wait, but as a derelict, Float with the tide that eddying goes out to sea. 78 OVER ALL Surging tide, and one small boat, Waters dark, the wind's shrill note, Strength to strength, a prayer to Fate, Closing eyes, lips supplicate, Circumstances grimly cold, Hopes that keep an anchor hold, Love to light the passageway, Masques of Death in iron gray, Wreckage drifts, and derelicts On Life's sea of lost conflicts, But God's there above it all, To pilot us at evenfall. 79 RETROSPECT Oh little rainbow-windowed chapel on the hill, Tell me, thy child of long ago, thy secret will; Is there no pen to write again the thoughts that thrilled Our youth? Is there no echo of the voice that stilled Our breaking childish hearts, or taught us lisping prayers To God, who understood enough of all our cares To give us dolls or mend a broken china cow? Speak little rainbow-windowed chapel on the hill, Speak with thy cob-web belfry-bell thy secret will. Oh blowing Autumn orchard, wind-tossed in the rain, Will you and I know love and blossoms e'er again? 80 Retrospect 81 Is there no way that I may feel the warmth once more Of vital days, dear in my memory, but lost before I knew their beauty, or half understood their power — Days that I look upon and say, "It might have been, " while hours Are creeping stealthily between the then and now. Oh Autumn orchard, wind-tossed, blowing in the rain, Will you and I know love and blossoms e'er again? A LITANY Give Faith to men in war ! And women strength in birth ! Return us love once more In peace again on earth ! Touch fever-stricken eyes ! Put out the lights of sin ! Ennoble sacrifice! Let brave hearts win ! Return to us the loss Of love, and life, and soul ! Teach us to bear our cross With infinite control ! Teach us to win the race To an Eternal goal Where all stand face to face With one vast Over-Soul ! 82 THE DECEIT OF IT ALL So this is all ! This is to be the end of all except thy wrath ! Like children's bubbles blown from out a pewter bowl To ride the air awhile and cast their liquid jewels on the hearth — No more or less your love ; while mine awoke my soul. Was it your fault? I cannot help but ask. Did not we steal too much, And crush the beauty that was ours in shadow ways? Deceit in love brings mental sluggishness where all is in the touch, Lest thinking deeply bring us to the better phase Of love where reason dominates and passion's laid aside. We cannot realize our love by night and be Ashamed of it by day. So you and I, before the whole world wide 83 84 The Deceit of It All Should have proclaimed to man our secret unity. For as it was, little by little, I could feel the chill creep through My heart as you would draw away pleading fatigue, Or lack of time. Sometimes you'd start in anger at a foot-step through The door. Your silence told me you despised intrigue And soon all of the little things I tried to do or say were wrong. One day I dropped a loved book from my finger tips Breaking the fine morocco. You were kind and kept on with your song But I could see your muscles tighten, and your lips Were hard before you forced a smile. Then someone knocked, and guiltily You held the door ajar, lying to one who came To chat with you. I understood you, dear, and felt the misery Of subterfuge, and yet in spite of all, the same Old love made me forget all else, outweighed each petty dissonance The Deceit of It All 85 And being thine within my soul I knew no other creed Save loving thee. What harm to other men our disobedience? God in his Heaven understands and knows our need Of being true unto the best within us. — Yet all's said and done And now there is this failure : not that love were wrong But rather that deception gnawed into our minds. The open sun Must shine on love to keep it sweet, and truth must be its song. MOODS Man's but a futile pawn, a crumbling fleck of dust That drifts from square to square, bearing the stain of tears and rust ; To-day erases yesterday ; to-morrow knows No memory except its own. Man plays at life and goes Blindfolded to the end, an unseen wheel within a wheel. My heart is there on sandy shores where shadows play Across the dunes, where south winds sing throughout the day Of love beyond the sun. My prayers are there in mist That draws the salt-scent from the sea. My soul's an Arabist And builds its tent of dreams in far-off islands of romance. Dark falls across the city walls, and you are there 86 Moods 87 Before me in the dusk. One touch, and thy love unaware Would come to me; hands that are cooler than the pale moon-flower, Touch not mine eyes where fever lights of passion glower ; Look to the field of stars until my soul returns thy glance. The moment now is real. Look to the depths and see God moving there. Stoop not to vain regret, the master key To life's experience. Count nothing lost. The best Of men stand face to face with pain ; he who can bear the test Of grief shall win at length. God, high in Heaven, let us kneel ! THE LONG ROAD The long road desolate Winds through the forest, and the night is still; The cross-roads join the main Pointing to hidden opportunity ; The long road desolate Leads to the little stones of white behind An open iron gate. Where is the light ? The wood Is dark; the lanterns in the sky are out; The rain falls through the leaves ; Weary, the flowers droop their heavy blooms; Their fragrance turns the night Wind's breath into an opiate beside The long road desolate. Where is the end, and death, Brushing the burning dust from off my lips ? I lay my fire-dreams down, Seeking the deep cool water's edge. Are there No rainbow vestments for Toilers that fall too soon beside the long Road desolate called Life? 88 THE RUN Black ! Black ! Into the black ! Our headlights flashing on ! On ! On ! Over the track That stretches to the dawn ! Down ! Down ! Where all is still In mists within the vale ! Up! Up! Over the hill We trace our winding trail. Speed ! Speed ! The throttle wide ! 'Round curve and on the straight; Fast ! Fast ! Through countryside, City and town. Let's wait; No ! No ! The road is wide — Swerve for that aimless dog! ! Now on ! Watch out ! The side Is hidden by the fog : Plunge ! Plunge ! Into the dip, The wet wind in our face; Race ! Race ! A record trip ! The road is ours to trace. There! There! The fog is gone; The air is clear. Let's go — 89 90 The Run Go! Go! We'll meet the dawn Beyond the hill. Let's show- Speed ! Speed ! The speed that makes A record — Mind the bridge ! ! Brakes ! Brakes ! Jam on your brakes ! Ah— Left now to the ridge That in the shadow lies Beneath old Stony Hedge, Winds ! Winds ! Within our eyes My God, man ! Ugh ! The ledge ! ! ! Space ! Space — Spaces that float — No sound — No pain — No breath — Blood — Blood — Blood in our throat — Blackness — The fog — And death — TOO MUCH FOR A WORD Give my thy hand. There, draw thy chair beside my bed. One last word more ; My last day's sun is setting. All is dusk. Fire- shadows 'cross the floor Are flickering; they tire my burning eyes and I must close them. There, Come close. Thou art my son, and I must say one say , and pray one pray With thee alone before I go; for I, no longer I, would know Within the vast beyond, that thou, living thy vital life below, Art surely owner of thy mother's last love word. Through all thy dealings in the world with worldly men, just understand Their games, their motives. Be not fooled by sham success ; throughout the land The man who wins is he who runs the race straightforward to the end, Not falling to alluring, doubtful schemes. The others who offend 9i 92 Too Much for a Word The laws, may win to thy snap judgment but mean dealings never win The real success. Be wise; say little; feel thou all ; to damn is vain. Come closer, darling. There. My fevered eyes are blurred. Above all things, be brave. Just knowing fear is no excuse to shun A task ; count not thy life as one of such import- ance. Never run Away in mind or body from the dangerous. Each time thou give Thy life to help another, thou art once again a man. So live And smother all thy weaker self. See every- thing, the right and wrong, And understand, trying thine own strength, dear, to know it really strong. And should thou fail, then feel thou none the nearer God. And when thy heart first yearns to feel the thrill of woman's touch, be true Unto thy best. Stand firm, and do no mad thing all because it's new Too Much for a Word 93 And seems a vital part of life. Pretending love will desecrate Thy heart, and cheapen all thy soul may long to give. Then hesitate A little lest thy happiness be marred by too much playing. Youth Under the open skies, laughing the long days through will find the truth. Be just a boy, my boy, — Thy hand — My breath comes hard. For love will come to thee ere long. Unthinking thou wilt find thy one, And thee and she wilt come into thine own. Then play the game, my son ; Think twice of her to once of thine own self. Give all. Take what she gives Thee freely. Love is the most delicate of flowers and it lives In atmospheres where free thoughts, dear, con- sideration, and respect Are habits of the mind. Cherish thy least romance. Never neglect The little things of love. And be thou true through all. And then when children come to thee, give to their youth thy youth, nor take 94 Too Much for a Word Their hearty foolishness as serious. Know the new age, and make Thyself alive to understand thy children's pleasures and their pain. Rule them through dignity and love ; show them thy sportsmanship and strain Of humor — Dear, the fever draws — a waving film before mine eyes Makes all things dim, e'en thy dear face. Would that my soul could sacrifice Its peace to watch o'er thee. Kiss me. The shadows fall Dear God above — Watch over him and keep him close to thee, and let him feeling Thee, know all the best, the truth. A mother's love on earth is done — here kneeling Hand in hand, we pray thee — Now, all's said and done. Come close once more. Life's sun is low; Love me and feel my love above thee always — All's blackness. Now the light — I go. 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