(from 1995)
.
Would it not be
a greater love
to silence keep,
to hide one’s heart
when it is fettered
sneaking past
those greater dreams,
pretending not to see?
.
Would it not be
a greater care
to journey on
in quiet prayer
that none be wounded
by rogue passion,
nor be caught
in love’s untimely heat?
.
(c) 1995, 2017 Betty Hayes Albright
.
(image is free clip-art)
Seasonings 
Nice writing! I enjoyed your stuff a lot!
check out:
passiontorn.wordpress.com
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Nice poetry on your blog too!
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Thanks, I’ll check back on yours from time to time, if you don’t mind.
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echoes of Edna St. Vincent Millay!
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Thank you, Steven – I’m honored to be even an “echo” of such a great classic poet!
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I hope you did not find anything negative in my use of “echo”… I meant to say that I heard the similar strains of music in your work as in Millay’s… but your poem is completely original and wonderful….not derivative as an echo might be.
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Steven, no worry – I understood exactly what you meant, and your comment made my day. 🙂 Thank you once again!
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So delicately phrased, and reminiscent of fine love poetry….are we two in the same frame of mind? 🙂
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Could be, Cynthia. (Though this was written almost 20 years ago, it’s still true today.) I must admit that it was your recent, beautiful sonnet that made me think of re-posting this one. We do seem to be kindred spirits once again. 🙂
For those not familiar with Cynthia’s fine poetry, please see: http://littleoldladywho.net/ !!
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Some loves seem to have far too many conditions to be called love…enjoyed your poem.
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Thank you, Charlie!
(In this case it wasn’t “conditions”, just obstacles. But love it was/is, in spite of those obstacles.)
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Your poem simply cries out for this:
http://madaboutyoulady.wordpress.com/2014/09/19/persephones-girlhood-this-is-for-you/
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Very clever! Thanks for the link, Ben. (You’re right, it certainly fits!)
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I know ‘greater’ love can remain in silence, so that journeying on keeping that silence may do more good than harm. One of my favorites of yours and many. Reached into my heart, Betty. XO ♥
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Thank you, Diane – again, we seem to be kindred spirits in these matters of the heart.
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Wow Betty so beautiful and so delicately crafted. Love this! Xx hugs
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