Lady, suppose

lady,

suppose

while you were sleeping

a chill frost glazed the moon

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suppose

when you awakened

the air were coldly hostile

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(and if the air

ran frigid rivulets

that shattered on your wall like

crystal goblets

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and gracelessly the small birds swam

among the icy morning temper of the sun

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and i were not there 

to fold you in my arms

and keep you from the bitterness

of early winter

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what then, lady,

what then?