Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

I Would Pretend

Marion Strobel

NOW that between us there is nothing more

To say, I would have loud and foolish speech

With you, I would pretend I still adore

Your voice: “Come, beautiful, draw near and teach

The way my hands should go in a caress—

Should fingers trail as pink feet of a crane

That skim the water?—or should fingers press

Their weight heavily?” Draw near me again—

What does it matter if the words you say

Are lies, if they be sweet to listen to?

Your lips are quite as cruel, quite as gay

As ever; and your eyes are honest blue….

Oh, be sublimely false (who are not true)—

And I’ll pretend I love you … as I do!