Alice Corbin

From “Old Songs for New”

O WORLD that changes under my hand,

O brown world, bitter and bright,

And full of hidden recesses

Of love and light—

O world, what use would there be to me

Of power beyond power

To change, or establish new balance,

To build, or deflower?

O world, what use would there be?

—Had I the Creator’s fire,

I could not build you nearer

To my heart’s desire!