Somebody said, in the crowd, last eve, <br /> That you were married, or soon to be. <br />I have not thought of you, I believe, <br /> Since last we parted. Let me see: <br />Five long Summers have passed since then – <br /> Each has been pleasant in its own way – <br />And you are but one of a dozen men <br /> Who have played the suitor a Summer day. <br /> <br />But, nevertheless, when I heard your name, <br /> Coupled with some one’s, not my own, <br />There burned in my bosom a sudden flame, <br /> That carried me back to the day that is flown. <br />I was sitting again by the laughing brook, <br /> With you at my feet, and the sky above, <br />And my heart was fluttering under your look – <br /> The unmistakable look of Love. <br /> <br />Again your breath, like a South wind, fanned <br /> My cheek, where the blushes came and went; <br />And the tender clasp of your strong, warm hand <br /> Sudden thrills through my pulses sent. <br />Again you were mine by Love’s decree: <br />So for a moment it seemed last night, <br /> When somebody mentioned your name to me. <br /> <br />Just for the moment I thought you mine – <br /> Loving me, wooing me, as of old. <br />The tale remembered seemed half divine – <br /> Though I held it lightly enough when told. <br />The past seemed fairer than when it was near, <br /> As ‘blessings brighten when taking flight, ’ <br />And just for the moment I held you near – <br /> When somebody mentioned your name last night.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-leaf/
