Rainbows (Custance)/A Girl's Love
A Girl's Love
My days are different from your days, my lifeIs hedged about as with a hedge of flowers,Flowers bright as roses and with thorns as keen.So is my girlhood guarded from the strifeThe turmoil of the world's contending powers.
Since shapes in shadow are but dimly seenBy those who in the summer sunlight stand,I can but guess those sordid things and sadThat mar the great sweet world, and come betweenAll simple human hearts in every land.
They came between your heart, and mine made gladBecause your life is brave and gay and wise,Because I love you . . . though I know too wellThe fickle crowd has told you love is mad,And yet you keep love's laughter in your eyes . . .
Perhaps, some day my secret I will tellOr you might guess it, dear, such things have beenSome day when our eyes meet, and our hands touch!A look, a little word would break the spellOf silence, like a sword our hearts between—Meanwhile, I dare not love you overmuch.