Chance Meetings

In the mazes of loitering people, the watchful and furtive,

           The shadows of tree-trunks and shadows of leaves,

           In the drowse of the sunlight, among the low voices,

           I suddenly face you,

           Your dark eyes return for a space from her who is with you,

           They shine into mine with a sunlit desire,

           They say an 'I love you, what star do you live on?'

           They smile and then darken,

           And silent, I answer 'You too—I have known you,—I love you!—'

           And the shadows of tree-trunks and shadows of leaves

           Interlace with low voices and footsteps and sunlight

           To divide us forever