Poems (Sharpless)/Concealed Love

by Frances M. Sharpless

CONCEALED LOVE DEDICATED TO MY HUSBAND

Sweet, deep in my heart shall thy love repose,
Like the golden heart in a folded rose,
Guessed only by transient gleams that shine
From my over-full joy thro' these eyes of mine;
Unsullied by breathing of human word,
With its lucid crystal unshadowed, unstirred,
Mirroring only the heavens and thee,
So, my darling, our love shall be.

If at even shadows I seek thy side,
And at noontide fulness away I glide,
If guarded gestures and words conceal
From inquisitive eyes what my tongue could reveal,
If the crimson glow on my cheek burns clear
When I read in thy glances thy secret dear,—
'Tis not for shame, for no shame can dwell
Where the sweetest angel of Heaven is,
But because I would not that lips should tell,
Or eyes con over our perfect bliss.

The mystical number I've lately learned,
When from books to my heart and to thee I've turned;
The mystical number for fortune and joy,
Which no evil can touch and Death only destroy,
Is only two, so between us close
We will let this beautiful secret repose;
And, thou and I, in duality one,
Shall keep from the curious world around,
This love of ours, so sweet, whereon
God's smile hath shined, making holy ground.
And none, with haughty and trampling feet,
Shall come near its sanctified hidden retreat.