Afternoon

<SPAN name="XIX"></SPAN>XIX<br/> <br/> <br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have left the groves of sleep,</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sad a little to leave you</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hid beneath their branchy roof</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">From morning sun and dew.</span><br/> <br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gleam now phlox and hollyhock;</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">I look on joyous garden site,</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And know that soon the crystal bells</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Will tinkle in the light.</span><br/> <br/> Then suddenly I take my way to you,<br/> With such a tenderness and love that sweep<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Into my midmost being</span><br/> That it seems my thought has travelled through&mdash;<br/> To bring you joy of reawakening&mdash;<br/> All the leafy umbrage of your sleep.<br/> <br/> And when I come to you within the house,<br/> That shade and silence still possess, hear<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">My ardent kisses, fresh</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 4em;">And clear,</span><br/> Sing you a morning song through meadows of the flesh.<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />