University of Virginia Library


260

“CAN I FORGET?”

Can I forget thee? Can the summer rose
Forget the green-leafed glade in which it blows?
Can it forget
The shade the tender thicket round it throws?
Can I forget
The bower wherein my flowerlike passion grows?
Can I forget thee? Can the morning dew
Forget the green rich grass it glistened through?
Can it forget
The warm soft morning mists of pearly blue?
Can I forget
The hour when morning light was one with you?
Can I forget thee now earth's story's told,
Now that my lips have pressed thy lips grown cold?
Can I forget

261

Thee whom death struck, but whom death shall not hold?
Can love forget
The hair that shamed the sun with countless gold?
Can I forget? Can heaven forget the sun?
Or can night's robes without a star be spun?
Can these forget
Through whom their jewels and golden wealth are won?
Can I forget
Thee, mine in life, in death—and death is done.
July 1, 1881 and January, 1913.