Rainbows (Custance)/Pierrot

by Olive Custance

For other versions of this work, see Pierrot (Custance).

Pierrot

 

Pierrot, Pierrot, at first they said you slept,
And then they told me you would never wake.
I dared not think, I watched the white day break,
The yellow lamps go out . . . I have not wept.

But now I kiss your dear cold hands and weep.
Shaken with sobs I cower beside the bed,
At last I realise that you are dead,
Drawn suddenly into the arms of sleep.

Love! you will never look at me again
With those rain-coloured, heavy lidded eyes,
Closed now forever. Pierrot, was it wise
To love so madly since we loved in vain?

In vain! in vain! But Pierrot, it was sweet
To stem the stealthy hours with wine and song,
Though Death stood up between us, stern and strong,
And Fate twined nets to trip our dancing feet.

Too soon, alas! too soon our summer swooned
To bitter winter, and against the lace
Of tossed white pillows lay a reckless face,
With feverish parched mouth like a red wound.

Yet still was our brave love not overthrown
And I would nestle at your side and see
Your large sad eyes grow passionate for me,
Love! wake and speak, I cannot live alone.

Blue as blue flame is the great sky above,
The earth is wonderful and glad and green,
But shut the sunlight out, for I have seen
Forgetfulness upon the face of love.