("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,