Could You Not Watch With Me One Little Hour

Sara Bard Field

I am that woman who would wait for dawn,
Nor slept while the slow moon rode into sight;
Who, fighting weariness, gazed full upon
The starry circle drawn around the night.
I saw the Milky Way fade like a cloud,
And, drowsy-lidded, watched the distance grow
Between me and the Pleiades, nor bowed
To heavy hands of sleep upon my brow.

Then, when night grew more stilly palpitate
Listening for the faint birth-cry of morn,
And the cock crew, I, at the very gate,
Fell into cloddish slumber, all out-worn.
Even as I slept, soft as a look or sigh,
The Dawn with Love beside her passed me by.