I DREAMED YOUR FACE

I dreamed your face, one night, when Heaven seemed resting,

Against the troubled fever of the earth;

I dreamed that vivid throated birds were nesting,

In trees that shook with elfin-hearted mirth.

I dreamed that star-like purple flowers were springing

A-throb with perfume all about the place,

And that there was a far-off sound of singing —

And then — I dreamed your face!

I dreamed your face, and then I waked from dreaming,

( The creeping dawn seemed very cold and bare! )

The rising sun seemed pallid in its beaming,

Because its coming did not find you there!

And I — I rose despondent in the morning,

As one whose burning thirst has not been slaked;

I dreamed your face, a wonder world adorning,

And then — I waked.

And so I went upon a quest to find you,

A quest that led through many bitter years;

I journeyed far with strands of love to bind you,

And found, not you, but bitterness and tears —

So I returned, discouraged, through the gloaming,

My shoulders bowed with weariness unguessed;

I came back, unsuccessful, from my roaming —

My sorry quest!

I had a bit of garden that I tended,

It helped me dream, again, my dream of you —

It was a joyous place of colors blended —

A place where pansies and Sweet William grew.

And one bright day I hummed as I was planting

A border row of flowers slim and fair,

And raised my eyes to see pale sunlight slanting

Across your hair!