Beloved, in this world of sense
We have the one omnipotence.
None but we lovers can erase
The foolish laws of time and space
Or gather by their wedded power
Eternity into an hour.
So to the four winds let us cast
Vague future and abysmal past
And, proud of body, leave behind
The fretful ghosts of soul and mind;
Nay even scorn the ageless joys
Of lovely sights and the soft noise
Of waving branches, streams that sing,
And music of the trembling string,
And all sweet scents and tastes that creep
Through brain to spirit. Alone we’ll keep
(Since ours is the one certain bliss
To come together in a kiss)
Locked in our frail and narrow clutch
The world-creating sense of touch.
All things are ours because we love.
Not men nor wrathful saints above,
Nor all the long corroding years,
Nor envious death’s remorseless shears,
Can ever vanquish or destroy
The sure possession of our joy.
Even God Himself can ne’er retract
His gift of the accomplished fact
Nor cancel by divine decree
Our once-enjoyed eternity.
Then let us keep forever fresh
This warm eternity of flesh,
Of lip-to-lip and knee-to-knee;
Knowing that, whatever years may bring
Of dusty earth or golden wing,
Once having loved, both you and I
Have been immortal ere we die.