A VARIATION

I am tired of this!

Nothing else but loving!

Nothing else but kiss and kiss,

Coo, and turtle-doving!

Ca n't you change the order some?

Hate me just a little — come!

Lay aside your “dears,”

“Darlings”, “kings” and “princes!” —

Call me knave, and dry your tears —

Nothing in me winces,—

Call me something low and base —

Something that will suit the case!

Wish I had your eyes

And their drooping lashes!

I would dry their teary lies

Up with lightning-flashes —

Make your sobbing lips unsheathe

All the glitter of your teeth!

Ca n't you lift one word —

With some pang of laughter —

Louder than the drowsy bird

Crooning‘ neath the rafter?

Just one bitter word, to shriek

Madly at me as I speak!

How I hate the fair

Beauty of your forehead!

How I hate your fragrant hair!

How I hate the torrid

Touches of your splendid lips,

And the kiss that drips and drips!

Ah, you pale at last!

And your face is lifted

Like a white sail to the blast,

And your hands are shifted

Into fists: and, towering thus,

You are simply glorious!

Now before me looms

Something more than human;

Something more than beauty blooms

In the wrath of Woman —

Something to bow down before

Reverently and adore.