AFTER ESTRANGEI ENT

MANY AN ICY DAY I'VE WATCHED A RIVER FENT AND STRIVING UNDERNEATH THE BOND THAT FEBRUARY LAYS ON STREAM AND POND

-

WATCHED THE RESTIVE CURRENT STRAIN AND QUIVER AGAINST THE CRUEL FETTER...SO MY SPIRIT

BEATS ON YOUR SILENCE HOLDING US APART,

AND ALL THE EAGER TUMULT IN MY HEART

MADE TORMENT THERE BECAUSE YOU WOULD NOT HEAR IT.

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THEN ON A DAY A STILL AND GENTLE SUN

SOFTENS THE ICE, AND WITH BRIEF BITTER WRACK

THE STREAM IS FREE AND RIPPLES CALM AGAIN.

SO NOW YOUR EYES, WITH SWEET COMMUNION WORDLESS BUT FRIENDLY, BRING MY SUNSHINE BACK, AND IN MY HEART PEACE SETTLES AFTER PAIN.

ABIGAIL SANFORD

LEAVES OF LOVE

NOTHING IS BINDING OR LASTING, YOU TELL ME, AND I ALMOST AGREE WITH YOUR THINKING,

WHEN SUDDENLY | GAZE ABOUT US:

THE TREES, THE VELVET GRASS, THE LEAVES THAT

BURNISH EVERY AUTUMN

ARE THESE NOT FAITHFUL, CONSTANT?

LET'S MAKE OUR LOVE A GODLY ONE OF DEPTH AND

BEAUTY,

SO ALL WE MEET WILL REASSURE THEMSELVES

THAT LOVE IS LOVE IN TIME AS WELL AS NAME.

LET'S NOT GO FROM ONE LOVE TO ANOTHER,

THUS LESSENING EACH PREVIOUS LOVE.

STAY WITH ME, BELOVED...HOLD MY HAND.

LET US STAND SILENTLY ON THIS MOUNTAIN AND

NOCK THE FICKLE CLOUDS AS THEY SPLIT UP PASSING BY.

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· TRACYE REYNOLDS

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