Desire

Bright eyes, sweet lips, with many fevers fill
The young blood, running wildly, as it must;
But lips and eyes beget a strange distrust.
Electric fingers send the sudden thrill
Through senses unsubservient to the will;
The flames die down, and leave a dim disgust;
Unfragrant kisses turn to drouth and dust;
I kiss; I feast; but I am hungry still.

O woman, woman, passionate but strong!
True to thy love as needle to the pole–
True to the truth, and not alone to me–
O mate and friend, elusive in the throng,
With thy clear brows, thy straight and upright soul,
Nameless–unknown–my hunger is for thee!