All that I ask, 'says Love, 'is just to stand <br /> And gaze, unchided, deep in thy dear eyes; <br /> For in their depths lies largest Paradise. <br /> Yet, if perchance one pressure of thy hand <br /> Be granted me, then joy I thought complete <br /> Were still more sweet. <br /> <br /> 'All that I ask, ' says Love, 'all that I ask, <br /> Is just thy hand clasp. Could I brush thy cheek <br /> As zephyrs brush a rose leaf, words are weak <br /> To tell the bliss in which my soul would bask. <br /> There is no language but would desecrate <br /> A joy so great. <br /> <br /> 'All that I ask, is just one tender touch <br /> Of that soft cheek. Thy pulsing palm in mine, <br /> Thy dark eyes lifted in a trust divine <br /> And those curled lips that tempt me overmuch <br /> Turned where I may not seize the supreme bliss <br /> Of one mad kiss. <br /> <br /> 'All that I ask, ' says Love, 'of life, of death, <br /> Or of high heaven itself, is just to stand, <br /> Glance melting into glance, hand twined in hand, <br /> The while I drink the nectar of thy breath, <br /> In one sweet kiss, but one, of all thy store, <br /> I ask no more.' <br /> <br /> 'All that I ask'-nay, self-deceiving Love, <br /> Reverse thy phrase, so thus the words may fall, <br /> In place of 'all I ask, ' say, 'I ask all, ' <br /> All that pertains to earth or soars above, <br /> All that thou wert, art, will be, body, soul, <br /> Love asks the whole.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/all-that-love-asks/
