hours at sea

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. 

 - Sara Teasdale