Love Is More Cruel than Death

For H

If your heart's desire were an apple,

I would place it in your hand;

From the tree of life I would pluck it

In Eden land.

If your heart's desire were a sword of steel,

I would fashion it in the flame

And inlay letters upon it

And a star's name.

If your heart's desire were carven jade,

I would grave for you with my pen

The learning and loneliness and yearning

And wisdom of men.

But your heart's desire is my friend,

My mother's son, the brother of me,

The friend I wear in my heart,

For fair is he;

He is fair, but far to seek,

And free.

And I have no power in my hands,

No help, no healing, no gift for you,

Nothing, nothing, save no word spoken

Between us two.