Cross Roads

I DREAMED YOUR FACE

     I dreamed your face, one night, when Heaven seemed
           resting,
        Against the troubled fever of the earth;
     I dreamed that vivid throated birds were nesting,
        In trees that shook with elfin-hearted mirth.
     I dreamed that star-like purple flowers were springing
        A-throb with perfume all about the place,
     And that there was a far-off sound of singing—
        And then—I dreamed your face!

     I dreamed your face, and then I waked from
           dreaming,
        (The creeping dawn seemed very cold and bare!)
     The rising sun seemed pallid in its beaming,
        Because its coming did not find you there!
     And I—I rose despondent in the morning,
        As one whose burning thirst has not been slaked;
     I dreamed your face, a wonder world adorning,
        And then—I waked.

     And so I went upon a quest to find you,
        A quest that led through many bitter years;
     I journeyed far with strands of love to bind you,
        And found, not you, but bitterness and tears—
     So I returned, discouraged, through the gloaming,
        My shoulders bowed with weariness unguessed;
     I came back, unsuccessful, from my roaming—
        My sorry quest!

     I had a bit of garden that I tended,
        It helped me dream, again, my dream of you—
     It was a joyous place of colors blended—
        A place where pansies and Sweet William grew.
     And one bright day I hummed as I was planting
        A border row of flowers slim and fair,
     And raised my eyes to see pale sunlight slanting
        Across your hair!