Loving you Less than Life

Loving you less than life, a little less

Than bitter-sweet upon a broken wall

Or brush-wood smoke in autumn, I confess

I cannot swear I love you not at all.

For there is that about you in this light-

A yellow darkness, sinister of rain-

Which sturdily recalls my stubborn sight

To dwell on you, and dwell on you again.

And I am made aware of many a week

I shall consume, remembering in what way

Your brown hair grows about your brow and cheek, / And what divine absurdities you say:

Till all the world, and I, and surely you, / Will know I love you, whether or not I do.