Quotes from Sara Teasdale

Splashes of crimson,

Since Death brushed past me once more to-day, Let me say quickly what I must say: Take without shame the love I give you, Take it before I am hurried away. You are intrepid, noble, kind, My heart goes to you with my mind, The plummet of your thought is long Sunk in deep water, cold with song. You are all I asked, my dear– My words are said, my way is clear.

When I am all alone Envy me most, Then my thoughts flutter round me In a glimmering host; Some dressed in silver, Some dressed in white, Each like a taper Blossoming light; Most of them merry, Some of them grave, Each of them lithe As willows that wave; Some bearing violets, Some bearing bay, One with a burning rose Hidden away– When I am all alone Envy me then, For I have better friends Than women and men.

Unless I learn to ask no help From any other soul but mine, To seek no strength in waving reeds Nor shade beneath a straggling pine; Unless I learn to look at Grief Unshrinking from her tear-blind eyes, And take from Pleasure fearlessly Whatever gifts will make me wise— Unless I learn these things on earth, Why was I ever given birth?

Every time that love has made me weep, I have rejoiced that love could be so strong.

Dreamily over the roofs The cold spring rain is falling; Out in the lonely tree A bird is calling, calling. Slowly over the earth The wings of night are falling; My heart like the bird in the tree Is calling, calling, calling.

Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten, Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold, Let it be forgotten forever and ever, Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.

Into my heart's treasury I slipped a coin That Time cannot take Nor a thief purloin- O better than the minting Of a gold-crowned king Is the safe-kept memory Of a lovely thing.

Only by love is life made real.

Oh Earth, you gave me all I have, I love you, I love you, - oh what have IThat I can give you in return - Except my body after I die?

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree If mankind perished utterly; And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn, Would scarcely know that we were gone.

One by one, like leaves from a tree, / All my faiths have forsaken me.

It is my heart that makes my songs, not I.

Love in my heart is a cry forever Lost as the swallow's flight, Seeking for you and never, never Stilled by the stars at night

O beauty, are you not enough; why am I crying after love.

Take love when love is given, But never think to find it A sure escape from sorrow Or a complete repose.

Wisdom is not acquired save as the result of investigation.

Places I love come back to me like music, / Hush me and heal me when I am very tired.

Love said, "Wake still and think of me," Sleep, "Close your eyes till break of day," But Dreams came by and smilingly Gave both to Love and Sleep their way.

If I can find out God, then I shall find Him,If none can find Him, then I shall sleep soundly,Knowing how well on earth your love sufficed me, A lamp in darkness.

But what do I care, for love will be over so soon, Let my heart have its say and my mind stand idly by, For my mind is proud and strong enough to be silent, It is my heart that makes my songs, not I.

Old love, old love, / How can I be true? / Shall I be faithless to myself / Or to you?

Make songs for Death as you would sing to Love -But you will not assuage him. He aloneOf all the gods will take no gifts from men.

Of my own spirit let me be in sole though feeble mastery.