Classic Poem

The world rumbles by me — can I heed?
The rose it is crimson — and I bleed.

The rose of my heart glows deep afar;
And I grope in the darkness 'twixt star and star.

Only in night grows the flower of peace,
Spreading its odours of rest and ease.

It dies in the day like light in the night.
It revives like tears in the eyes of delight.

For the youth at my heart beats wild and loud;
And raves in my ear of a girl and a shroud.

Of a golden girl with the soul in her eyes,
To teach me love and to make me wise.

With the fire on her lips and the wine in her hands,
To bind me strong in her silken bands.

For time and fate are striding to meet
One unseen with soundless feet.

The world rustles by me — let me heed.
Clutched in its madness till I bleed.

For the rose of my heart glows deep afar.
If I stretch my hand, I may clasp a star.