I shall not take the river’s lustre,
Nor the lazy glow
Of rays that round your shoulders cluster
When the sun is low.
I shall not take what’s mine from birth
As much as flesh and bone:
The winding path, the scent of earth
When hay is newly mown.
I leave the cooling rain, the baking
Sun, the sky above…
Far more than this, my dear, I’m taking,
For I take your love.
* * *
Darling, I see you are shivering, trembling.
Sit by the fire and give me your hand.
Why are you sighing for may time and summer?
Why do you shun me? I don’t understand.
How can you think I’m a bird that is willing
Only in springtime to cheer you with song?
I’m not the sun, its warm duties fulfilling
Only in springtime and all summer long.
Darling, I love you whatever the weather,
In midwinter frost and in kindlier June.
I sing songs of love and of happy endeavour
And travel the world with this comforting tune.
If my glad song is unable to warm you,
If on this cold winter night you still freeze,
Then there is nothing—not spring and not summer
Able to make this a song that shall please.
* * *
Afraid of all things,
I am fearful that maybe
I shall be unable to shield you from harm,
That maybe a passer-by or an acquaintance
Shall slight or ill-treat you or cause you alarm.
I fear lest a storm, bursting in of a sudden,
May shatter the delicate bond that we make,
I fear lest our happiness prove to be crystal:
The larger a glass is, the simpler to break.
I fear lest much sorrow and care, like an ocean,
May seize you and in its mad whirpool enthrall.
I fear lest among the salt waves in commotion
A single salt tear of your weeping should fall.
YOU ARE MY LIFE
Life’s a constant source of wonder—
Every day has many hues.
It can deafen me with thunder
Or with sunny joy enthuse.
It can send me, bird-like, soaring,
Cast me from a mountaintop,
Steady me, my strength restoring,
Spin me so I cannot stop.
It can prompt my joy, my sadness,
Whet a knife and with sure aim
Stab me in a fit of madness—
Still I cherish but your name.
You, like life, are clear and hazy,
You can be both kind and sly,
Grind me in the dust, or raise me
Like a banner up on high.