Tinkle on, O sweet guitar,
Let the dancing fingers
Loiter where the low notes are
Blended with the singer’s:
Let the midnight pour the moon’s
Mellow wine of glory
Down upon him through the tune’s
Old romantic story!
I am listening, my love,
Through the cautious lattice,
Wondering why the stars above
All are blinking at us;
Wondering if his eyes from there
Catch the moonbeam’s shimmer
As it lights the robe I wear
With a ghostly glimmer.
Lilt thy song, and lute away
In the wildest fashion:–
Pour thy rippling roundelay
O’er the heights of passion!–
Flash it down the fretted strings
Till thy mad lips, missing
All but smothered whisperings,
Press this rose I’m kissing.
(James Whitcomb Riley)
More Poetry from James Whitcomb Riley:
James Whitcomb Riley Poems based on Topics: Love, Success, Listening, Passion, Dancing, Musicians, Fashion, Moderation & Temperance- The Old-Home Folks (James Whitcomb Riley Poems)
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