606. Sonnets from the Portuguese XXIX

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806—1861)

  I THINK of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud

  About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,

  Put out broad leaves, and soon there’s nought to see

  Except the straggling green which hides the wood.

  Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood

  I will not have my thoughts instead of thee

  Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly

  Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,

  Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,

  And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee

  Drop heavily down,—burst, shattered, everywhere!

  Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee

  And breathe within thy shadow a new air,

  I do not think of thee—I am too near thee.