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("It would be easy to say...")
Muna Lee
My autumns are merely quiet, and they show
Straight trees that are bared alike of leaves and snow-
Yet it is only thus you can know the trees.
Love proud enough to forego bloom and song,
To strip the boughs of foliage; bare and strong
To bide your judgment, would be most like these.
vi
It would be easy to say: "The moon and lake
Made wizardry-how could we see aright?
That was a world unreal in silver light,
And we were lovers for the moment's sake.
It was youth spoke in us, quick to mistake
Earth-lamp for dawn, the mirage for true sight;
Hailing a hill-crest as the long-sought height,
Swearing such oaths as honors us to break."
That would be easiest: then no regret
Could chill a heart grown happy to forget,
Nor touch a soul that sophistry sufficed.
There was a man once, in a hall of trial,
Thrice before cock-crow uttered such denial-
And knows forever that he denied the Christ!
vil
I make no question of your right to go-
Rain and swift lightning, thunder and the sea,