Page:Main Street and other poems, Kilmer, 1917.djvu/34

MAIN STREET AND OTHER POEMS IN MEMORY

I

ERENE and beautiful and very wise,

Most erudite in curious Grecian lore,

You lay and read your learned books, and bore

A weight of unshed tears and silent sighs.

The song within your heart could never rise

Until love bade it spread its wings and soar.

Nor could you look on Beauty's face before

A poet's burning mouth had touched your eyes.

Love is made out of ecstasy and wonder;

Love is a poignant and accustomed pain.

It is a burst of Heaven-shaking thunder;

It is a linnet's fluting after rain.

Love's voice is through your song; above and under

And in each note to echo and remain.

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