Though the starlings mock you, <br />You must say, Yes <br />Though the long train of history leaves the station, <br />Though the children wave goodbye from distancing windows, <br />You must say, Yes: <br /> <br />Memory will have enough to do, without you <br />The future needs you not, nor any one, <br />But you must say, Yes, you <br />Have no right, not to follow on <br />In the wake of the green light, <br />In the wake of the red dawn <br />Following the pain or delight <br />That leads us on. <br />Confess: you must say, Yes, <br /> <br />No, I will not leave you, <br />I will not leave you alone, <br />We have gone too far <br />To part, now; <br />Oft I complained <br />And sometimes wept <br />I was beaten down <br />And lifted up before my time, <br />And again cast down, <br />But you forced me to say Yes. <br /> <br />And the tide rolls in, forever <br />Until the tide rolls out; <br />And I will not leave you <br />Even though you shout <br />Words of anger, or of fever <br />I bring sweet water to relieve you <br />On the long strand of a shore <br />Where we dwell forevermore <br />Hands clasped beneath the seaweed <br />Toes delving silver sand <br />Long hair flowing seaward <br />Fingers entwined. <br /> <br />And no, I will not leave you <br />This side of the moon: <br />A rising wind may blow <br />But we will cling here now, <br />In secret cove; <br />The tide swells on. <br />I will not leave you, yet, Love. <br /> <br />Have you seen, Love, how <br />The night rules our fate? <br />Sun came too early or too late, <br />And ne'er achieved the Now. <br /> <br />And no, I will not leave you: <br />Furture slain <br />Past, too <br />I will remain. <br /> <br />You must say Yes. <br />I whisper, Yes. <br /> <br />2009<br /><br />Will Barber<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-will-not-leave-you-yes/
