On Sara Teasdale's Birthday...

Sir William Orpen -- Grace Reading at Howth Bay

"I Have Loved Hours At Sea"

by Sara Teasdale

I have loved hours at sea, gray cities,

The fragile secret of a flower,

Music, the making of a poem

That gave me heaven for an hour;

First stars above a snowy hill,

Voices of people kindly and wise,

And the great look of love, long hidden,

Found at last in meeting eyes.

I have loved much and been loved deeply--

Oh when my spirit's fire burns low,

Leave me the darkness and the stillness,

I shall be tired and glad to go.