Max Michelson. A Helen. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

A Helen

By Max Michelson

From “Masks”

	Do birds sing for their mates?

	My song was for one airy and shining,
	Lighter than a butterfly’s wings.
	On the way, she would half-turn and listen.
	She fluttered solemn, occupied, yet I never knew her airy business.
	Now that I sing of an earthly woman,
	She listens wondering.

YOU looked tired,

For you came from far,

Perhaps from Greece.

You may have been walking for ages.

You stepped slowly,

As though you carried

Some precious wine.

You stayed a moment …

Then vanished,

Wondering,

As if you were some one else.