Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
II. Loves NatureWhy?
Mary Louise RitterW
Found in the mold some atoms rare and fine:
And, stooping, drew and warmed them into growing,—
Dust, with the spirit’s mystic countersign.
Fell on the sweet red mouth, till, lost to sight,
The love became too exquisite, and vanished
Into a viewless rapture of the night.
There is a time to love, a time to give;
She perished gladly, folding close the secret
Wherein is garnered what it is to live.