I DO not catch these subtle shades of feeling, <br />Your fine distinctions are too fine for me; <br />This meeting, scheming, longing, trembling, dreaming, <br />To me mean love, and only love, you see; <br />In me at least 'tis love, you will admit, <br />And you the only man who wakens it. <br /> <br /> <br />Suppose I yearned, and longed, and dreamed, and fluttered, <br />What would you say or think, or further, do? <br />Why should one rule be fit for me to follow, <br />While there exists a different law for you? <br />If all these fires and fancies came my way, <br />Would you believe love was so far away? <br /> <br /> <br />On all these other women--never doubt it-- <br />'Tis love you lavish, love you promised me! <br />What do I care to be the first, or fiftieth? <br />It is the only one I care to be. <br />Dear, I would be your sun, as mine you are, <br />Not the most radiant wonder of a star. <br /> <br /> <br />And so, good-bye! Among such sheaves of roses <br />You will not miss the flower I take from you; <br />Amid the music of so many voices <br />You will forget the little songs I knew-- <br />The foolish tender words I used to say, <br />The little common sweets of every day. <br /> <br /> <br />The world, no doubt, has fairest fruits and blossoms <br />To give to you; but what, ah! what for me? <br />Nay, after all I am your slave and bondmaid, <br />And all my world is in my slavery. <br />So, as before, I welcome any part <br />Which you may choose to give me of your heart.<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-wife-of-all-ages/
