I think and think: yet still I fail — <br />Why must this lady wear a veil? <br />Why thus elect to mask her face <br />Beneath that dainty web of lace? <br />The tip of a small nose I see, <br />And two red lips, set curiously <br />Like twin-born berries on one stem, <br />And yet, she has netted even them. <br />Her eyes, 'tis plain, survey with ease <br />Whate'er to glance upon they please. <br />Yet, whether hazel, gray, or blue, <br />Or that even lovelier lilac hue, <br />I cannot guess: why — why deny <br />Such beauty to the passer-by? <br />Out of a bush a nightingale <br />May expound his song; from 'neath that veil <br />A happy mouth no doubt can make <br />English sound sweeter for its sake. <br />But then, why muffle in like this <br />What every blossomy wind would kiss? <br />Why in that little night disguise <br />A daybreak face, those starry eyes?<br /><br />Walter de la Mare<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-veil-5/
