False Start

Mabel Dodge Luhan

Ask me no more of the full flower’s speech,
Tell me no more of the ripe fruit’s need,
For I am tired of trying to reach the fruit in the seed.

Leave me awhile, and I will recover
In darkness and night.
It was too soon for me to discover growth in the light.

Bear with my weakness, my failure, my pain,
Grant me this—only this darkness I need.
I sicken from sunlight, but give me the rain, for I am but seed.