ARIANE
I wish you thought me faithless, when within
My heart I knew my innocence from sin.
I wish that I might tell you fables blithe
Of my misdeeds, and smile to see you writhe.
This I could bear; I cannot bear that you
Should think me faithful, when I am untrue.
BEFORE AND AFTER
BEFORE
I wait your coming as a miracle,
And the expectant morning waits with me;
Time hangs suspended as a quiet bell
That once did strike the hours successively,
For over all the country lies a spell,
A hush, a painted stillness, where I see
(As calm as skies reflected in a well)
The fields enchanted, waiting silently.
AFTER
OH, heart! the beauty of your wind-swept hair
Blown from your temples as you swiftly came!
For all the pagan grace of you was there,
Remembered, ardent, after months the same.
The eager muscles of your throat were bare,
The candid passion lit you like a flame,
As, striving on against the countering air,
You reached me, failing, breathing out my name.