Regret by Leigh Gordon Giltner — Read

Shimmer of rose and pearl,

Sheen on an opal sky; / Day's crimson banners unfurl,

Purple-pleached shadow-gleams die; / Dawn flowers bourgeoning fair,

Meads with the dawn-dews wet; / Rare is the morn--ah, rare!

But in the heart, regret-- / A vague regret.

Clouds like the scattered snow / Stippling a sapphire sky;

Fervor and heat and glow, / Zephyrs that swoon and die.

Drowseth the nooning air / On meads with red poppies set;

Fair is the day--ah, fair! / But in the heart, regret--

And still... regret.

Flashes of burning gold,

Flushes of crimson light / Faint on a waning wold,

Stealeth the silent night. / One from a casement bar

Leaneth with lashes wet, / Watching the last wan star

Fade like a heart's regret-- / A vain regret.