Verses (Shorter)/Pre-Existence

by Dora Sigerson Shorter

PRE-EXISTENCE.

We have met, you and I, long ago,
Yesterday when I saw you I knew,
For the sight of the city was gone.
And the sky took an eastern blue;
Strange flowers and strange perfumes were there,
Strange birds without song flitted by,
O I loved you as woman ne'er loved
When we met long ago, you and I.

We have loved long ago, you and I,
Though to-day we but linger to part.
O say, do you wish to forget ?
Does no answer awake in your heart?
Perhaps in the future 'tis writ
That we meet once again. Ah, good-bye!
You forget, but I sigh for that past
Where we met and we loved, you and I.