As I remember........

As I remember the first fair touch
Of those beautiful hands that I love so much,
I seem to thrill as I then was thrilled,
Kissing the glove that I found unfilled-
When I met your gaze, and the queenly bow,
As you said to me, laughingly, 'Keep it now! '...
And dazed and alone in a dream I stand,
Kissing this ghost of your beautiful hand.

When first I loved, in the long ago,
And held your hand as I told you so-
Pressed and caressed it and gave it a kiss
And said 'I could die for a hand like this! '
Little I dreamed love's fullness yet
Had to ripen when eyes were wet
And prayers were vain in their wild demands
For one warm touch of your beautiful hands....