Two Seasons
by Galway Kinnell
I
- The stars were wild that summer evening
- As on the low lake shore stood you and I
- And every time I caught your flashing eye
- Or heard your voice discourse on anything
- It seemed a star went burning down the sky.
- I looked into your heart that dying summer
- And found your silent woman's heart grown wild
- Whereupon you turned to me and smiled
- Saying you felt afraid but that you were
- Weary of being mute and undefiled
II
- I spoke to you that last winter morning
- Watching the wind smoke snow across the ice
- Told of how the beauty of your spirit, flesh,
- And smile had made day break at night and spring
- Burst beauty in the wasting winter's place.
- You did not answer when I spoke, but stood
- As if that wistful part of you, your sorrow,
- Were blown about in fitful winds below;
- Your eyes replied your worn heart wished it could
- Again be white and silent as the snow.