The Faces of Memory

Portrait of George William Russell
George William Russell 1867–1935
69Collected Poems by A.E.

DREAM faces bloom around your face Like flowers upon one stem; The heart of many a vanished race Sighs as I look on them.

The sun rich face of Egypt glows, The eyes of Eire brood, With whom the golden Cyprian shows In lovely sisterhood.

Your tree of life put forth these flowers In ages past away: They had the love in other hours I give to you to-day.

One light their eyes have, as may shine One star on many a sea, They look that tender love on mine That lights your glance on me.

They fade in you; their lips are fain To meet the old caress: And all their love is mine again As lip to lip we press.

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