FATE
Author: by Susan Marr Spalding (1841-1908)

Two shall be born the whole wide world apart
And speak in different tongues, and take no thought
Each of the other's being, and no heed.
And these, o'er unknown seas to unknown lands shall cross,
Escaping wreck, defying death,
And all unconsciously shape every act
And bend each wandering step unto this end
That one day out of darkness they shall meet and
Read life's meaning in each other's eyes.

And two shall walk some narrow way of life
So nearly side by side that, should one turn
Ever so little to left or right,
They needs must stand acknowledged, face to face.
And yet with wistful eyes that never meet
And groping hands that never clasp and lips
Calling in vain to ears that never hear,
They seek each other all their weary days
And die unsatisfied. And this is Fate!

 

THE MORE LOVING ONE
Author: by W. H. Auden (1907—1973)

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well that
For all they care I can go to hell.
But on earth indifference is the least we have to
Dread from man or beast.
How should we like it were stars to burn with
A passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot now I see them say I missed one
Terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take a little time.

 

HOW DO I LOVE THEE?
Author: by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 – 1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears of all my life; and if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

 

HEART WE WILL FORGET HIM
Author: by Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (1830 – 1886)

Heart, we will forget him,
You and I, tonight!
You must forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.

When you have done pray tell me,
Then I my thoughts will dim.
Haste! lest while you’re lagging
I may remember him!

 

INDEED I CANNOT TELL
Author: by Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)

Indeed, indeed, I cannot tell, though I ponder on it well,
Which were easier to state, all my love or all my hate.
Surely, surely, thou wilt trust me when I say
Thou dost disgust me.

O, I hate thee with a hate that would fain annihilate;
Yet sometimes against my will, my dear friend I love thee still.
It were treason to our love and a sin to God above,
One iota to abate of a pure impartial hate.