June 1927 509. «It's eye for eye, and tooth for tooth…» It's eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, And even the Eternal Truth For every cruel word I've said Breathes vengeance on my head. 16 Apr. 1929 510. «I cast a rock into the well…» I cast a rock into the well And stood to listen how it fell. How it went shooting through the deep. Where frogs and water-serpents creep. And as it reached the bottom black I heard it give a sullen whack And saw the bubbles at the top And circles w’here 1 let it drop. And now — I see the sky and sun And I regret what I have done And wonder if the silent stone Remembers, where it lies alone Among the creatures of the slime, Its happier and brighter time — And if it longs to see above The sun, which I deprived it of. 17 Apr. 1929 511. «Like colored glass is fair…» Like colored glass is fair when the porch is gray, so all my days were till you went away. Like rainbows in the sky following after rain, so is the thought that I may meet you yet again. But, oh, the endless years that I don't see your face are cold and lonely years in a lonely place. 6 Dec. 1929 512. «Oh, tender dawn above the sombre pond…» Oh, tender dawn above the sombre pond, where great, green drooping weeping willows crowd to touch the sleeping water; and beyond — the golden turrets of a rising cloud. Oh, gentle wind, sweet scented breath that stirs this silent waking water, — and the lace of willows, and green saplings, and brown burrs framing its face! What can the heart within a human breast — what can it do with that taut golden string calling for all the agony and unrest which make men sing? Weep in such hours of ecstasy, oh heart! Be silent, oh dark heart, — you cannot cool your burning thirst from that deep, glittering pool, or reach that sky light where the willows part! Nothing there is that you can do. Lie low, hide on the soft black earth, in the wet grass, breathe not when this mild wind begins to blow, hear not, nor watch how the green ripples go, that, seeing you — helpless and suffering so — those stirring hours take pity on you and pass! Shanghai, [Sept. 1934]
513. Dawn So dawn creeps to dark waters, and so hope to still, sick, sombre hearts, that vainly grope throughout the night, not knowing that a day is near, to end their sorrow and dismay. How bright the ripples in the sudden glare of morning, and the waking trees how fair! Even my wingless heart can so forget that it alone has not been lighter yet… Shanghai, [Sept. 1934] 514. «If I had but a little common sense…» If I had but a little common sense, I would forsake you, 1 would travel hence and maybe see, in lovely places, far, that you were not the sky's most brilliant star. Perhaps on lofty mountains I would seek the flaming flower of the snow-clad peak, or on some island in the sunny sea forget the words that you have said to me. There are so many wonders I could find, that life would yet be bountiful and kind, and going so I should not drop a tear, — if I had sense… But I have none, my dear. Shanghai, 23 Oct. 1934 515. «It's not because you leave me that I weep…» It's not because you leave me that I weep, nor am I broken just because we part, — but that the coin of friendship proved so cheap, and that your word meant nothing in your heart. Leave me now, go; I will not need you more. Travel your way, while I shall walk my own; Let not your conscience worry on my score: I may be even stronger so, alone. But should I ever meet you later on — tired and sick and begging me for bread with all your luck and earthly glories gone — better for you if one of us were dead, for I may turn and give a stone instead. Shanghai, [1934] 516. To a Man Named Smith Once in this world of mountain, wood and plain my road crossed yours. We will not meet again. But as a dawn breaks open sunlit skies — so once we looked into each other's eyes. In that brief hour the words we spoke were few, and when you went, and I lost sight of you still all the birds were trilling, and the day shone just as golden as I walked my way. Poor foolish heart — why should it cry and cry because you crossed the verv hour as I? Shanghai, [1934] |
