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Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/Only a Slender Graven Band

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4657195Pebbles and Shells — Only a Slender Graven BandClarence Hawkes

ONLY A SLENDER GRAVEN BAND
Only a slender graven band,
A tiny thing of gold,
I took it from my dead Love's hand
Her hand so white and cold.

I hid it in my aching breast,
O! cruel cruel fate,
It filled my heart with mad unrest
And crushed me with its weight.

I hid it in a secret drawer,
Away from mortal eye,
But still it 'drew me by its power—
I could not let it lie.

I gave it to a distant friend
To keep for me, alack!
Before he reached his journey's end
I was upon his track.

I tore it fiercely from his hand
And threw it in the sea,
Then lay me down upon the sand
And wept it bitterly.

It fell upon a sea-weed bright
That floated to the shore,
I seized my treasure with delight
And kissed it o'er and o'er.

And now I wear it on my hand
Where all the world may see,—
But only God can understand
How much it means to me.