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Mandragora/Understanding

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For works with similar titles, see Understanding.
583096Mandragora — UnderstandingJohn Cowper Powys

UNDERSTANDING


HE does not understand
   Or know his own heart's truth!"
I heard her say, with a wave of her hand,
   And the treacherous hope of youth.

Ah! beautiful one, indeed
   He does not; nor ever will
For all the tears that your heart may bleed
   And the tears your eyes may fill.

Till the rivers flow back to their source,
   Till the grass grow on desert sand,
Till the terrible planets change their course,
   He will not understand.

Let him go. But the further he goes
   The closer you keep, my dear,
Something he little knows,
   Something he cannot hear,
You have touched the eternal sea
   And the gods have taken your hand.
When he speaks of the love that used to be,
   You will not understand.