John Hay

John Hay

October 8, 1838 - July 1, 1905

 

Dreams

by John Hay

I love a woman tenderly,
But cannot know if she loves me.
I press her hand, her lips I kiss,
But still love's full assurance miss
Our waking life forever seems
Cleft by a veil of doubt and dreams.

But love and night and sleep combine
In dreams to make her wholly mine.
A sure love lights her eyes' deep blue,
Her hands and lips are warm and true
Always the fact unreal seems,
And truth I find alone in dreams.

Source:

Poems
Copyright 1897
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston