| Jessie B. Rittenhouse, ed. (1869–1948). The Second Book of Modern Verse. 1922. |
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| Choice |
| | | Angela Morgan |
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| I’D rather have the thought of you | |
| To hold against my heart, | |
| My spirit to be taught of you | |
| With west winds blowing, | |
| Than all the warm caresses | 5 |
| Of another love’s bestowing, | |
| Or all the glories of the world | |
| In which you had no part. | |
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| I’d rather have the theme of you | |
| To thread my nights and days, | 10 |
| I’d rather have the dream of you | |
| With faint stars glowing, | |
| I’d rather have the want of you, | |
| The rich, elusive taunt of you | |
| Forever and forever and forever unconfessed | 15 |
| Than claim the alien comfort | |
| Of any other’s breast. | |
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| O lover! O my lover, | |
| That this should come to me! | |
| I’d rather have the hope for you, | 20 |
| Ah, Love, I’d rather grope for you | |
| Within the great abyss | |
| Than claim another’s kiss— | |
| Alone I’d rather go my way | |
| Throughout eternity. | 25 |
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