Desire

Bright eyes, sweet lips, with many fevers fill

The young blood, running wildly, as it must;

But lips and eyes beget a strange distrust.

Electric fingers send the sudden thrill

Through senses unsubservient to the will;

The flames die down, and leave a dim disgust;

Unfragrant kisses turn to drouth and dust;

I kiss; I feast; but I am hungry still.

O woman, woman, passionate but strong!

True to thy love as needle to the pole—

True to the truth, and not alone to me—

O mate and friend, elusive in the throng,

With thy clear brows, thy straight and upright soul,

Nameless—unknown—my hunger is for thee!