Calamus 11
Part of the cluster CALAMUS.
11.
WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my namehad been received with plaudits in the capitol,
still it was not a happy night for me that fol-
lowed; And else, when I caroused, or when my plans were
accomplished, still I was not happy; But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of
perfect health, refreshed, singing, inhaling the
ripe breath of autumn, When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and
disappear in the morning light, When I wandered alone over the beach, and, undress-
ing, bathed, laughing with the cool waters, and
saw the sun rise, And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover,
was on his way coming, O then I was happy; O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day
my food nourished me more—And the beautiful
day passed well, And the next came with equal joy—And with the
next, at evening, came my friend; [ begin page 358 ]
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And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly continually up the shores, I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands,
as directed to me, whispering, to congratulate
me, For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the
same cover in the cool night, In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face
was inclined toward me, And his arm lay lightly around my breast—And that
night I was happy.
Part of the cluster CALAMUS.