A Variation

I am tired of this!      Nothing else but loving!     Nothing else but kiss and kiss,      Coo, and turtle-doving!         Can't you change the order some?         Hate me just a little - come!     Lay aside your "dears,"      "Darlings," "kings," and "princes!" -     Call me knave, and dry your tears -      Nothing in me winces, -         Call me something low and base -         Something that will suit the case!     Wish I had your eyes      And their drooping lashes!     I would dry their teary lies      Up with lightning-flashes -         Make your sobbing lips unsheathe         All the glitter of your teeth!     Can't you lift one word -      With some pang of laughter -     Louder than the drowsy bird      Crooning 'neath the rafter?         Just one bitter word, to shriek         Madly at me as I speak!     How I hate the fair      Beauty of your forehead!     How I hate your fragrant hair!      How I hate the torrid         Touches of your splendid lips,         And the kiss that drips and drips!     Ah, you pale at last!      And your face is lifted     Like a white sail to the blast,      And your hands are shifted         Into fists: and, towering thus,         You are simply glorious!     Now before me looms      Something more than human;     Something more than beauty blooms      In the wrath of Woman -         Something to bow down before         Reverently and adore.