If

Oh, the ways we used to know,

Shady walks of long ago,

Lovers’ lanes I’ve walked with you,

Eyes and skies of wondrous blue,

Boulders in the torrent’s path,

Where we dared the water’s wrath,

Where we watched the urchins swim,

In the days that won’t grow dim.

Happy?  I was happy then!

But if I could go again

Down those ways with you, an stand

On the cliff’s edge hand in hand

Where we stood, or take our way

Where the torrent’s silver spray

Hung in jewels from each bough,

I’d be twice as happy now.

I don’t think we’re ever quite

As soul full of rare delight

As we can be; there is room

Always for a little gloom

To add pathos to a smile;

Just a thought of afterwhile.

We’re not—or it seems to me—

Ever glad as we can be.

But, I think if you and I

Stood beneath the same blue sky,

Or were walking once again

Through the laughing, glinting rain,

Or were on the grass-clad knoll,

Heart to heart and soul to soul,

Or if you were here with me,

I’d be glad as I could be.

Lilts O Love Table Of Contents