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By The Sea

by Sara Teasdale

 

Beside an ebbing northern sea

While stars awaken one by one,

We walk together, I and he.

 

He woos me with an easy grace

That proves him only half sincere;

A light smile flickers on his face.

 

To him love-making is an art,

And as a flutist plays a flute,

So does he play upon his heart

 

A music varied to his whim.

He has no use for love of mine,

He would not have me answer him.

 

To hide my eyes within the night

I watch the changeful lighthouse gleam

Alternately with red and white.

 

My laughter smites upon my ears,

So one who cries and wakes from sleep

Knows not it is himself he hears.

 

What if my voice should let him know

The mocking words were all a sham,

And lips that laugh could tremble so?

 

What if I lost the power to lie,

And he should only hear his name

In one low, broken cry?

 

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