In the faint flush upon the tell-tale cheek, <br />And in the pallor that succeeds it; by <br />The quivering lid of an averted eye - <br />The smile that proves the parent of a sigh: <br />Thus doth Love speak. <br /> <br />How does Love speak? <br />By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak <br />Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache <br />While new emotions, like strange barges, make <br />Along vein-channels their disturbing course, <br />Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force: <br />Thus doth Love speak. <br /> <br />How does Love speak? <br />In the avoidance of that which we seek <br />The sudden silence and reserve when near; <br />The eye that glistens with an unshed tear; <br />The joy that seems the counterpart of fear, <br />As the alarmed heart leads in the breast, <br />And knows, and names, and greets its godlike guest: <br />Thus doth Love speak. <br /> <br />How does Love speak? <br />In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek, <br />The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender <br />And unnamed light that floods the world with splendour; <br />In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace <br />In all fair things to one beloved face; <br />In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble; <br />In looks and lips that can no more dissemble: <br />Thus doth Love speak. <br /> <br />How does Love speak? <br />In wild words that uttered seem so weak <br />They shrink ashamed to silence; in the fire <br />Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher, <br />Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm <br />In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm, <br />Impassioned tide that sweeps thro' throbbing veins, <br />Between the shores of keen delights and pains; <br />In the embrace where madness melts in bliss, <br />And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss: <br />Thus doth Love speak.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/how-does-love-speak/
