Poem - "Diya {original title is Greek, Delta-iota-psi-alpha}" by Amy Lowell

"Diya {original title is Greek, Delta-iota-psi-alpha}" 
by Amy Lowell


Look, Dear, how bright the moonlight is to-night!

See where it casts the shadow of that tree

Far out upon the grass. And every gust

Of light night wind comes laden with the scent

Of opening flowers which never bloom by day:

Night-scented stocks, and four-o'clocks, and that

Pale yellow disk, upreared on its tall stalk,

The evening primrose, comrade of the stars.

It seems as though the garden which you love

Were like a swinging censer, its incense

Floating before us as a reverent act

To sanctify and bless our night of love.

Tell me once more you love me, that 't is you

Yes, really you, I touch, so, with my hand;

And tell me it is by your own free will

That you are here, and that you like to be

Just here, with me, under this sailing pine.

I need to hear it often for my heart

Doubts naturally, and finds it hard to trust.

Ah, Dearest, you are good to love me so,

And yet I would not have it goodness, rather

Excess of selfishness in you to need

Me through and through, as flowers need the sun.

I wonder can it really be that you

And I are here alone, and that the night

Is full of hours, and all the world asleep,

And none can call to you to come away;

For you have given all yourself to me

Making me gentle by your willingness.

Has your life too been waiting for this time,

Not only mine the sharpness of this joy?

Dear Heart, I love you, worship you as though

I were a priest before a holy shrine.

I'm glad that you are beautiful, although

Were you not lovely still I needs must love;

But you are all things, it must have been so

For otherwise it were not you. Come, close;

When you are in the circle of my arm

Faith grows a mountain and I take my stand

Upon its utmost top. Yes, yes, once more

Kiss me, and let me feel you very near

Wanting me wholly, even as I want you.

Have years behind been dark? Will those to come

Bring unguessed sorrows into our two lives?

What does it matter, we have had to-night!

To-night will make us strong, for we believe

Each in the other, this is a sacrament.

Beloved, is it true?