Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems

<h2> Lisette and Eileen </h2> <p>"When he was here alive, Eileen,<br/> There was a word you might have said;<br/> So never mind what I have been,<br/> Or anything,&mdash;for you are dead.<br/> <br/> "And after this when I am there<br/> Where he is, you'll be dying still.<br/> Your eyes are dead, and your black hair,&mdash;<br/> The rest of you be what it will.<br/> <br/> "'Twas all to save him? Never mind,<br/> Eileen. You saved him. You are strong.<br/> I'd hardly wonder if your kind<br/> Paid everything, for you live long.<br/> <br/> "You last, I mean. That's what I mean.<br/> I mean you last as long as lies.<br/> You might have said that word, Eileen,&mdash;<br/> And you might have your hair and eyes.<br/> <br/> "And what you see might be Lisette,<br/> Instead of this that has no name.<br/> Your silence&mdash;I can feel it yet,<br/> Alive and in me, like a flame.<br/> <br/> "Where might I be with him to-day,<br/> Could he have known before he heard?<br/> But no&mdash;your silence had its way,<br/> Without a weapon or a word.<br/> <br/> "Because a word was never told,<br/> I'm going as a worn toy goes.<br/> And you are dead; and you'll be old;<br/> And I forgive you, I suppose.<br/> <br/> "I'll soon be changing as all do,<br/> To something we have always been;<br/> And you'll be old... He liked you, too.<br/> I might have killed you then, Eileen.<br/> <br/> "I think he liked as much of you<br/> As had a reason to be seen,&mdash;<br/> As much as God made black and blue.<br/> He liked your hair and eyes, Eileen."<br/></p> <p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"></SPAN></p> <br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />