The Poetry Corner

Absence

By Thomas William Heney

Ah, happy air that, rough or soft, May kiss that face and stay; And happy beams that from above May choose to her their way; And happy flowers that now and then Touch lips more sweet than they! But it were not so blest to be Or light or air or rose; Those dainty fingers tear and toss The bloom that in them glows; And come or go, both wind and ray She heeds not, if she knows. But if I come thy choice should be Either to love or not For if I might I would not kiss And then be all forgot; And it were best thy love to lose If love self-scorn begot.