A Variation

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I am tired of this!
  Nothing else but loving!
Nothing else but kiss and kiss,
  Coo, and turtle-doving!
  Can't you change the order some?
  Hate me just a little--come!

Lay aside your "dears,"
  "Darlings," "kings," and "princes!"--
Call me knave, and dry your tears--
  Nothing in me winces,--
  Call me something low and base--
  Something that will suit the case!

Wish I had your eyes
  And their drooping lashes!
I would dry their teary lies
  Up with lightning-flashes--
  Make your sobbing lips unsheathe
  All the glitter of your teeth!

Can't you lift one word--
  With some pang of laughter--
Louder than the drowsy bird
  Crooning 'neath the rafter?
  Just one bitter word, to shriek
  Madly at me as I speak!

How I hate the fair
  Beauty of your forehead!
How I hate your fragrant hair!
  How I hate the torrid
  Touches of your splendid lips,
  And the kiss that drips and drips!

Ah, you pale at last!
  And your face is lifted
Like a white sail to the blast,
  And your hands are shifted
  Into fists: and, towering thus,
  You are simply glorious!

Now before me looms
  Something more than human;
Something more than beauty blooms
  In the wrath of Woman--
  Something to bow down before
  Reverently and adore.

© James Whitcomb Riley