THE OPPORTUNITY

Forty springs back, I recall,

We met at this phase of the Maytime:

We might have clung close through all,

But we parted when died that daytime.

We parted with smallest regret;

Perhaps should have cared but slightly,

Just then, if we never had met:

Strange, strange that we lived so lightly!

Had we mused a little space

At that critical date in the Maytime,

One life had been ours, one place,

Perhaps, till our long cold daytime.

- This is a bitter thing

For thee, O man: what ails it?

The tide of chance may bring

Its offer; but nought avails it!