Flame and Shadow/"I Have Loved Hours at Sea"

by Sara Teasdale

 

"I HAVE LOVED HOURS AT SEA"

I have loved hours at sea, gray cities,
⁠The fragile secret of a flower,
Music, the making of a poem
⁠That gave me heaven for an hour;

First stars above a snowy hill,
⁠Voices of people kindly and wise.
And the great look of love, long hidden,
⁠Found at last in meeting eyes.

I have loved much and been loved deeply—
⁠Oh when my spirit's fire burns low,
Leave me the darkness and the stillness,
⁠I shall be tired and glad to go.