UNFINISHED

The radiant dawn flows up the empty sky,

Its singing colors heralding the day,

And yet, before the tardy sun is high,

Unfinished morning fades and slips away.

While Nature holds her fragrant breath at dawn

Watching the loveliness she's made — it's gone!

From dew-drenched garden thrills a thrush's call —

That liquid note that all night long was stilled —

The living chalice, brown and bright and small,

Seems with the joy of living overfilled —

Then suddenly, unfinished, clear and sweet

The song is drowned in noises from the street.

So at the edge of dusk my love for you

Would speak to your white soul, would humbly come

To tell the age-old story, ever new —

But in the pulsing twilight Love is dumb!

Oh, heart of mine, within your quiet breast

Unfinished dawn — and song — and love — find rest!