English poem
The First and Last
by Ameen Rihani (1876–1940)
O kiss me now; the end is near The bright beginning; kiss me, dear. I would not that thou shouldst one day In bitter thought remembering say:
“When in the high tide of our bliss Upon these lips I slew the kiss That should have lived.” The kiss I fear— The poison, ah, the lie, my dear.
Fear not; O kiss me whilst I can’t Refuse; am I to-morrow thine? Wilt thou be near me when I pant?
I shall not go; thou wilt not pine. Sweet thoughts!—Alas, the first, the last!
Nay, nay! I cling to thee: the past Is dying in the lap of night In which our star is shining bright.
The fingers in the shadow, there! What are they weaving? Look, a shroud! Come, purse thy lips; do not despair; Take hold my hand and speak aloud.
No, no! For whom that shroud, for whom? Not for our love—not for our joy?
Then seal thou with thy lips my doom, Ay, with a kiss this life destroy!