If I Could But Forget
If I could but forget The fullness of those first sweet days,
When you burst sun-like thro' the haze Of unacquaintance, on my sight,
And made the wet, gray day seem bright While clouds themselves grew fair to see.
And since, no day is gray or wet But all the scene comes back to me,
If I could but forget.
If I could but forget How your dusk eyes look into mine,
And how I thrilled as with strong wine Beneath your touch; while sped amain The quickened stream thro' ev'ry vein;
How near my breath fell to a gasp,
When for a space our fingers met In one electric vibrant clasp,
If I could but forget.
If I could but forget The months of passion and of pain,
And all that followed in their train— Rebellious thoughts that would arise,
Rebellious tears that dimmed mine eyes,
The prayers that I might set love's fire Aflame within your bosom yet— The death at last of that desire— If I could but forget.
Paul Laurence Dunbar
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