Poems (Tree)/The Adored, Wild, Strange, Irresistible
THE adored, wild, strange, irresistible,How they fail one at the last!What is there in your facesThat we should worship with our souls?Most lovable, perfidious,Vague—Molesting even our visionsWith treacherous pathos.O vulgarity, mediocrity, stupidity,What is it in you that makes us lavish our love,Covering your meagre bodiesWith our passionate mantle, dyed with blood and dreams?Life and its grey days, and timeAre a thin curtain through which you shadow,Or a dim glass through which you peer.You climb in at the windows of our soulsWith ladders and stratagems,You mope in corners with reproachful eyes.But what do you do for usLute players, dancers, deceivers,Other than lie with red lipsAnd cajole with tears of beryl?People—Men and women with laughable, tragic facesWinking at love,Treading our songs and illusionsUnder petulant feet!
1917