The Poetry Corner

The Awakening

By Edgar Lee Masters

When you lie sleeping; golden hair Tossed on your pillow, sea shell pink Ears that nestle, I forbear A moment while I look and think How you are mine, and if I dare To bend and kiss you lying there. ***** A Raphael in the flesh! Resist I cannot, though to break your sleep Is thoughtless of me - you are kissed And roused from slumber dreamless, deep - You rub away the slumber's mist, You scold and almost weep. ***** It is too bad to wake you so, Just for a kiss. But when awake You sing and dance, nor seem to know You slept a sleep too deep to break From which I roused you long ago For nothing but my passion's sake - What though your heart should ache!