<h2><SPAN name="page113"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>A LEAF</h2>
<p class="poetry">Somebody said, in the crowd, last eve,<br/>
That you were married, or soon to be.<br/>
I have not thought of you, I believe,<br/>
Since last we parted. Let me see:<br/>
Five long Summers have passed since then—<br/>
Each has been pleasant in its own way—<br/>
And you are but one of a dozen men<br/>
Who have played the suitor a Summer day.</p>
<p class="poetry">But, nevertheless, when I heard your name,<br/>
Coupled with some one’s, not my own,<br/>
There burned in my bosom a sudden flame,<br/>
That carried me back to the day that is flown.<br/>
I was sitting again by the laughing brook,<br/>
With you at my feet, and the sky above,<br/>
And my heart was fluttering under your look—<br/>
The unmistakable look of Love.</p>
<p class="poetry"><SPAN name="page114"></SPAN><span class="pagenum">p.
114</span>Again your breath, like a South wind, fanned<br/>
My cheek, where the blushes came and went;<br/>
And the tender clasp of your strong, warm hand<br/>
Sudden thrills through my pulses sent.<br/>
Again you were mine by Love’s own right—<br/>
Mine for ever by Love’s decree:<br/>
So for a moment it seemed last night,<br/>
When somebody mentioned your name to me.</p>
<p class="poetry">Just for the moment I thought you
mine—<br/>
Loving me, wooing me, as of old.<br/>
The tale remembered seemed half divine—<br/>
Though I held it lightly enough when told.<br/>
The past seemed fairer than when it was near,<br/>
As “blessings brighten when taking
flight;”<br/>
And just for the moment I held you dear—<br/>
When somebody mentioned your name last night.</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.