Poetry Archives

And did you think my heart
  Could keep its love unchanging,
Fresh as the buds that start
  In spring, nor know estranging?
Listen! The buds depart:
  I loved you once, but now—
  I love you more than ever.

‘T is not the early love;
  With day and night it alters,
And onward still must move
  Like earth, that never falters
For storm or star above.
  I loved you once; but now—
  I love you more than ever.

With gifts in those glad days
  How eagerly I sought you!
Youth, shining hope, and praise:
  These were the gifts I brought you.
In this world little stays:
  I loved you once, but now—
  I love you more than ever.

A child with glorious eyes
  Here in our arms half sleeping—
So passion wakeful lies;
  Then grows to manhood, keeping
Its wistful, young surprise:
  I loved you once, but now—
  I love you more than ever.

When age’s pinching air
  Strips summer’s rich possession,
And leaves the branches bare,
  My secret in confession
Still thus with you I’ll share:
  I loved you once, but now—
  I love you more than ever.