| Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22. | | | | Praise for Him | | By Eunice Tietjens |
| | From “Facets”
AND if I find you beautiful, what then? | |
| Shall I not take my pleasure in the line | |
| Of your clean chiseled nostril, and the fine | |
| Crisp curve your hair makes on your forehead? Men | |
| Are plenty who are dull and dutiful. | 5 |
| I owe you thanks that you are beautiful. | |
| |
| And if your spirit’s vividness is such | |
| That with the swiftness of a flight of birds | |
| Rises the covey of your colored words, | |
| Where is the song shall praise you overmuch? | 10 |
| I hold no brief for pious lividness; | |
| I thank you for your spirit’s vividness. | |
| |
| And if your soul—“Is there a soul?” “Perhaps; | |
| At least admit it as a way men speak.”— | |
| Your soul then, lonely as a mountain peak | 15 |
| And naked as a fawn, if it can lapse | |
| Sheer outward from the rim of things I see, | |
| Well! Still I’m thankful for your liberty. | | | | |
|
|
