I Dreampt of You

( I DREMPT OF YOU ) I dreamed your face, one night, when Heaven seemed resting, against the troubled fever of the earth. I dreamed that vivid throated birds were nesting, in trees that shook with elfin-hearted mirth. I dreamed that star-like purple flowers were springing, a-throb with perfume all about the place. And that there was a far-off sound of singing, and then--I dreamed your face. I dreamed your face, and then I waked from dreaming, (The creeping dawn seemed very cold and bare!). The rising sun seemed pallid in its beaming, because its coming did not find you there. And I--I rose despondent in the morning, as one whose burning thirst has not been slaked. I dreamed your face, a wonder world adorning, and then--I waked. And so I went upon a quest to find you, a quest that led through many bitter years. I journeyed far with strands of love to bind you, and found, not you, but bitterness and tears. So I returned, discouraged, through the gloaming, my shoulders bowed with weariness unguessed. I came back, unsuccessful, from my roaming, my sorry quest. I had a bit of garden that I tended, it helped me dream, again, my dream of you. It was a joyous place of colors blended, a place where pansies and Sweet William grew. And one bright day I hummed as I was planting, a border row of flowers slim and fair. And raised my eyes to see pale sunlight slanting, across your hair.