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Realization
: Frances Frieseke
REALIZATION
Slow - on the past my soul has opened doors
And let a shadow pass, reluctantly -
A shadow, loved, a part of me one time;
A child of thought, and listener to dreams,
From which my heart, my love, my everything
Has grown, like flowers from a seed. My soul
Awoke alone upon a new land's edge
And saw the child sink into memory.
Someone has gone from me, someone I love.
Alone I looked upon the land, and there
I saw in all past dreams reality.
Real, that thin-fingered grief will choke our heart;
That slumber-wingéd death will mute our lips.
And yet a whispered song grows in my heart,
So tender, longing and mysterious
That my life tiptoes to hear every sound:
"Thou shalt be woman, hush, and in thy hands
Lie happiness to give, and grief - alas! -
Unwillingly.
"Upon thy breast perhaps
A tiny head will heavy every breath,
A soul will grow under thy fashioning -
Thou shalt love more, and be a woman soon!"
My eyes' inquiring glance seeks other eyes
That are not there. My soul leaning on God,
With hesitating steps I start my way
Into the unknown land.
Frances Frieseke
WOMEN