MADAM, you bade me act a part, <br />A comedy of your devising-- <br />Forbade me to consult my heart, <br />To be sincere--or compromising. <br /> <br /> <br />The play was not my own device, <br />My stage-struck youth lies far behind me; <br />And yet--I thought it would be nice <br />To play the part that you assigned me. <br /> <br /> <br />Thus have I learned my rôle so well <br />That, as I play, you question whether <br />Fate has not taught your jest a spell <br />To bind me to you altogether. <br /> <br /> <br />The truth is this: so ill I wrought <br />In mastering the part you gave me, <br />That now 'tis tyrant of my thought, <br />And nothing in the world can save me! <br /> <br /> <br />Between me and my work, your face, <br />In haunting fashion, daily lingers; <br />Your eyes make mine their dwelling place <br />Your dream-hand thrills my idle fingers. <br /> <br /> <br />Through death-white nights I dream of you-- <br />Of what might move, and what has moved you-- <br />Ah! no! There's nothing you can do!... <br />...It's not as though I really loved you.<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-comedy/
