Dora Sigerson Shorter Poems

What we must do and may not do.
This is the World's whole refrain,
Till beating on the wearied brain,
We wonder what is true.
...

What will you give me, if I will wed?
'A golden gown
To come sweetly down,
And deck you from foot to head.'
...

Heaven help your home to-night,
MacCormac; for I know
A white witch woman is your bride:
You married for your woe.
...

One spring as I went walking
By budding leaf and thorn
To see the sun a-shining
Upon an Easter morn;
...

At the grey dawn, amongst the falling leaves,
A little bird outside my window swung,
High on a topmost branch he trilled his song,
...

The wind has blown my heart away
All on a summer holiday.
If you can find it, pray you tell,
...

Is there no bond of blood to you, my brother?
Who have called her ours, the ancient Mother,
And here we hope to rest from Life's temptation
...

My Future lay cradled asleep;
I kissed the sweet mouth and she smiled
With a promise of all she should be,
...

I crave of you pardon to-day,
Yesterday I was mad when I spoke;
But the dream of our friendship was fair,
And my heart seemed to die when I woke.
...

I, like a moth to the candle,
Am chained by a glance from your eye.
If I shun you, the world is in darkness;
If I seek my desire, I die.
...