Teasdale, Sara. Rivers to the Sea
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library

| Table of Contents for this work |
| All on-line databases | Etext Center Homepage |

THE KISS



BEFORE YOU kissed me only winds of heaven
      Had kissed me, and the tenderness of rain --
Now you have come, how can I care for kisses
      Like theirs again?

I sought the sea, she sent her winds to meet me,
      They surged about me singing of the south --
I turned my head away to keep still holy
      Your kiss upon my mouth.

And swift sweet rains of shining April weather
     Found not my lips where living kisses are;
I bowed my head lest they put out my glory
     As rain puts out a star.

I am my love's and he is mine forever,
     Sealed with a seal and safe forevermore --
Think you that I could let a beggar enter
      Where a king stood before?



-10-