“When he was here alive, Eileen, <br />There was a word you might have said; <br />So never mind what I have been, <br />Or anything,—for you are dead. <br /> <br />“And after this when I am there <br />Where he is, you’ll be dying still. <br />Your eyes are dead, and your black hair,— <br />The rest of you be what it will. <br /> <br />“’Twas all to save him? Never mind, <br />Eileen. You saved him. You are strong. <br />I’d hardly wonder if your kind <br />Paid everything, for you live long. <br /> <br />“You last, I mean. That’s what I mean. <br />I mean you last as long as lies. <br />You might have said that word, Eileen,— <br />And you might have your hair and eyes. <br /> <br />“And what you see might be Lisette, <br />Instead of this that has no name. <br />Your silence—I can feel it yet, <br />Alive and in me, like a flame. <br /> <br />“Where might I be with him to-day, <br />Could he have known before he heard? <br />But no—your silence had its way, <br />Without a weapon or a word. <br /> <br />“Because a word was never told, <br />I’m going as a worn toy goes. <br />And you are dead; and you’ll be old; <br />And I forgive you, I suppose. <br /> <br />“I’ll soon be changing as all do, <br />To something we have always been; <br />And you’ll be old.… He liked you, too, <br />I might have killed you then, Eileen. <br /> <br />“I think he liked as much of you <br />As had a reason to be seen,— <br />As much as God made black and blue. <br />He liked your hair and eyes, Eileen.”<br /><br />Edwin Arlington Robinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lisette-and-eileen/
