If I Had Been a Rose
Nora Hopper Chesson
1871 to 1906
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If I had been a rose
And not woman, would your feet have stayed
A moment their passing, and in shade
That meeting boughs lime and lilac made
Would you have stood, softly touched my flower,
Making me redder, and in my dower
Of sweetness? Would you gather me, I wonder.
Or pass without a word, and me under
My shading leaves to watch my grow dry?
Ah, would you be unkind, and me by
If I had been a rose?
If I had been a rose,
You had kinder than to leave me there.
Spilling my out, half in despair,
And half because remembering so rare.
'Tis easy withering roses, even in June!
Too rough a wind-touch, or too bright a noon.
The red leaves drop and show the gold under
Past dream or daring, past desire or wonder.
Ah, yet be gentle though no rose am I!
My tears are in my heart — my were dry,
If I had been a rose.
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