XXV
Prayers
Prayers that were birds winging wide,
Daring the flame of the sun,
How have you faltered and died,
Now the day’s done!
Prayers must be brave for the dark,
Strong for the chill of the star,
Fearing no fate to embark
Over the bar.
Prayers of the sun and the moon,
Prayers for the sky and the nest,
All must reach haven so soon—
Which shall reach rest?
XXVI
A South-Sea Lover Scorned
When the red coral of your lip is pale
As the bleached sea-sand, ah, wearily, wearily,
Will you behold your face, your fingers frail,
Gnarled like a wind-blown tree; your star-bright eyes
Blind as a cloudy midnight without moon.
No more fair necklaces nor scarlet dyes
Can make you cruel to men, for soon, so soon,
Your heart will bear the years—ah, wearily, wearily.