THE FIRST KISS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 680

THE FIRST KISS.

Sweetheart, ’twas but a while ago—it scarce seems yesterday, Though now my hair is white as snow and yours is turning grey— That, walking in the twilight haze, when bright stars blushed above, You told me that you loved me and I kissed you for that love !

The first kiss, dear, and then your hand—dear hand, so soft and sweet! Far whiter than the white, sweet sand that twinkled ’neath your feet— Laid tenderly within my own. Have queens such lovely hands ? No wonder that the whip-poor-wills made sweeter autumn lands!

It seemed to me that my poor heart would beat to death or break. While all the world, sweetheart ! sweetheart ! seemed singing for your sake. And every rose that barred the way in glad and dying grace Forgot its faded summer day, and, leaning, kissed your face !

I envied all the roses then, and all the rosy ways That blossomed ’neath our feet are still my life’s bright yesterdays ; But thinking of that first sweet kiss and that first clasp of hands, Life’s whip-poor-wills sing sweeter now through all the autumn lands.

Frank L. Stanton.