When you lay before me dead, <br />In such pallid rest, <br />On those passive lips of thine <br />Not one kiss I pressed! <br /> <br />Did you wonder-looking down <br />From some higher sphere- <br />Knowing how we two had loved <br />Many and many a year? <br /> <br />Did you think me strange and cold <br />When I did not touch, <br />Even with reverent finger-tips, <br />What I had loved so much? <br /> <br />Ah! when last you kissed me, dear, <br />Know you what you said? <br />'Take this last kiss, my beloved, <br />Soon shall I be dead! <br /> <br />'Keep it for a solemn sign <br />Through our love's long night, <br />Till you give it back again <br />On some morning bright.' <br /> <br />So I gave you no caress; <br />But, remembering this, <br />Warm upon my lips I keep <br />Your last living kiss!<br /><br />Julia Caroline (Ripley) Dorr<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-kiss-88/
