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
Other author posts
Distinction
I am but clay, the sinner plead, Who fed each vain desire Not only clay, another said, But worse, for thou art mire
Song
Wintah, summah, snow er shine, Hit's all de same to me, Ef only I kin call you mine, An' keep you by my knee Ha'dship, frolic, grief er caih, Content by night an' day, Ef only I kin see you whaih You wait beside de way Livin', dyin', smi...
Dreams
What dreams we have and how they Like rosy clouds across the sky; Of wealth, of fame, of sure success, Of love that comes to cheer and bless; And how they wither, how they fade, The waning wealth, the jilting jade — The fame that fo...
Invitation to Love
Come when the nights are bright with stars Or when the moon is mellow; Come when the sun his golden bars Drops on the hay-field yellow Come in the twilight soft and gray, Come in the night or come in the day,
