Poems (Tree)/I Can but Give Thee Unsubstantial Things

by Iris Tree

I CAN but give thee unsubstantial thingsWrapt as in rose-leaves between thought and thought,No gems or garments marvellously wroughtOn ivory spools with rare embroiderings.Nor for thy fingers precious, fabled ringsThat cardinals have worn, and queens have boughtWith blood and beauty. I have only soughtA song that hovers on illusive wings.

Accept from me a dream that hath no art,I give my empty hands for thee to hold,Take thou the gift of silence for my part,With all the deeper things I have not told.Yet if thou canst, decipher in my heartIts passions writ in hieroglyphs of gold.

1917