A sudden flash of love-born radiance gleaming

From two dark melting orbs of liquid light,

Whose haunting beauty sets the fond soul dreaming

Of far-off, unattainable delight.

A passing word of greeting, sweetly spoken

By two sweet lips whose lightest word is dear;

A moment more, and lo! the spell is broken

While yet its charm is ling’ring on the ear.

* * * * * *

Ten years ago, I watched a sunbeam falling