Where her arms and my neck’s blood-surge could meet.

Holding her thus, did I care

That the black night hid her from me, blotted out every speck?

I leaned me forward to find her lips,

And claim her utterly in a kiss,

When the lightning flew across her face,

And I saw her for the flaring space

Of a second, afraid of the clips

Of my arms, inert with dread, wilted in fear of my kiss.

A moment, like a wavering spark,