An Anthology of Australian Verse/Absence

by Thomas William Heney

Thomas
William
Heney

ABSENCE

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.