A Secret Sadness After William Collis Brookes For Helidor Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

A secret sadness pains my heart
whenever, with a smiling face,
we meet with others, scarce apart,
in drawing-room or public place.

We chatter with adroit address,
yet you are you and I am I!
None of the fools we greet can guess
your kisses wear my patience, try.

I'm so correct whene'er we meet,
you play so well your stately role,
none may suspect what masked deceit
your image wears within my soul.


(3 August 1985 robi03_0212_broo01_0001 PXX_JLX)


after William Collis Brookes
A Secret Laughter

A secret laughter shakes my heart
whenever, with unsmiling face,
we meet and greet or turn to part
in drawing-room or public place.

We chatter with adroit address,
and you are you and I am I,
and none of all the fools can guess
you wear my kiss upon your thigh.

I am so vapid when we meet,
you play so well your stately role,
that none can ever know, my Sweet,
I wear your image in my soul.

William Collis Brookes For Helidor 1949 A Secret Laughter