Raglan Road

On Raglan Road on an autumn day I saw her first and knew That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue I saw the danger, yet I passed along the enchanted way And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day. On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion's pledge The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay Oh I loved too much and by such by such is happiness thrown away. I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret sign that's known To the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone And word and tint without stint for I gave her poems to say. With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow That I had loved not as I should a creature made of clay When the angel woos the clay he'd lose his wings at the dawn of day.