Beloved, you may be as all men say
Only a transient spark
Of flickering flame set in loam of clay -
I care not ...since you kindle all my dark
With the immortal lustres of the day.

And as all men deem, dearest, you may be
Only a common shell
Chance-winnowed by the sea-winds from the sea -
The subtle murmurs of eternity.

And tho- you are, like men or mortal race,
Only a hapless thing
That Death may mar and destiny efface -
I care not ... since unto my heart you bring
The very vision of God-s dwelling-place.