Evening on Lesbos

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Twice having seen your shingled heads adorable
Side by side, the onyx and the gold,
I know that I have had what I could not hold.

Twice have I entered the room, not knowing she was here.
Two agate eyes, two eyes of malachite,
Twice have been turned upon me, hard and bright.

Whereby I know my loss.
            Oh, not restorable
Sweet incense, mounting in the windless night!


Monadnock Valley Press > Millay