THE LAST TRYST

The cowbells wander through the woods,
'Neath arching boughs a stream slips by,
In all the ferny solitude
A chipmunk and a butterfly
Are all that is--and you and I.

This summer day, with all its flowers,
With all its green and gold and blue,
Just for a little while is ours,
Just for a little--I and you:
Till the stars rise and bring the dew.

One perfect day to us is given;
Tomorrow--all the aching years;
This is our last short day in heaven,
The last of all our kisses nears--
Then life too arid even for tears.

Here, as the day ends, we two end,
Two that were one, we said, for ever;
We had Eternity to spend,
And laughed for joy to know that never
Two so divinely one could sever.

A year ago--how rich we seemed!
Like piles of gold our kisses lay,