Love and Joy

By George Sterling

Oh! doubt not Love can live on dreams atone,
    If so they be forevermore of thee!
    From frailest hope he draws sweet certainty,
Seizing the wingéd bliss before 'tis flown,
Plucking the blossom ere the seed be sown,
    And crushing wine from clusters yet to be.
    Despair itself becomes an ecstasy,
And tears diviner things than Peace hath known.

Ever upon the gloom he sees the star,
    And steals To-day's uncompensated flow'rs
        To cast before To-morrow's glimmering feet.
His bride is Joy, altho she roam afar.
    Whose laughter on the inestimable hours
        Falls from the heavens wherein her wings are fleet.

San Francisco.