Beloved, If The Moon Could Weep
by
Beloved, if the Moon could weep
Or if the Sun could see
How all these weltering alleys keep
Their outcast treasury!
O bitter, bitter-sweet!–
Beauty of babyhood,–
Earth’s wistful uttermost of good
Flung out upon the street;
Fouled, even as the highways would,
With mirk and mire and bruise;
The cheek more petal-fine
Than rose before a shrine!
Those hands like star-fish in the ooze,
And fingers fain to cling
To any stronger thing!
And smiles, for one triumphal Gift,
Should one lean down, and lift!
And tendril hair;–O in such wise,
With wild lights aureoled,
The morning-glories twine and hold,
In some far paradise!
Oh well and deep, the foul ways keep
Lost treasure hid from day!–
Sun may not see: but only we,
Who look; and look away.