Arthur William Symons

Before Meeting

I know not how our eyes first met,
I only know that, night by night,
For one long instant we forget
All but our instant of delight.

Child, I have never heard you speak,
I know not of your face by day,
Nor if the rose upon your cheek
With night's spent roses faints away.

So far apart from me you seem,
Ever about to be so near,
I must have dreamed you in some dream,
I do but dream that you are here.

Well, no awakening may there be!
I look to you in fairy-land,
From fairy-land you look to me,
We smile, and seem to understand.