Secret Flowers

Is love a light for me? A steady light, A lamp within whose pallid pool I dream Over old love-books? Or is it a gleam, A lantern coming towards me from afar Down a dark mountain? Is my love a star? Ah me!- so high above so coldly bright! The fire dances. Is my love a fire Leaping down the twilight muddy and bold? Nay, I'd be frightened of him. I'm too cold For quick and eager loving. There's a gold Sheen on these flower petals as they fold More truly mine, more like to my desire. The flower petals fold. They are by the sun Forgotten. In a shadowy wood they grow Where the dark trees keep up a to-and-fro Shadowy waving. Who will watch them shine When I have dreamed my dream? Ah, darling mine, Find them, gather them for me one by one.