WOULD YOU CARE?

All day on my pillow I wearily lay,

With a stabbing pain at my heart,

With throbbing temples, and a feverish thirst

Burning, my lips apart.

If I longed for a touch of your soft, strong hand,

For you one little minute there;

For a smile, or a kiss, or a word to bless,

Would you blame me, love?— would you care?

When the long, long, lonesome day was done,

And you never for a moment came,

If I tried to shut you out of my heart,

Impatient at your name;

If disappointment's bitter sting

Was harder than pain to bear,

If I turned away with a doubting frown,

Would you blame me, love?— would you care?

Should I die to-night, and you saw me not

Again till my soul had fled

With its vain request, and my features wore

The white hue of the dead —

Would you place just once, in a last caress,

Your hand on my death-damp hair?

Would you give me a thought, or a fond regret?

Would you kiss me, love?— would you care?