You can't remember, dearest br br For your memory fades too fast, br br The beginning of our loving br br In the warm and foggy past. br br br When vapor from the tepid sea br br Hung ever in the air, br br And rivulets of pinkish mud br br Went trickling past us there. br br br No, you can't remember even br br Of the later lukewarm time br br When you and I were wigglers, br br Wiggling in the pale gray slime. br br br When our mouths were all our reason br br And our bellies all our soul, br br When we bred and died and rotted, br br By the billion on the shoal. br br br Yet for ever and forever, br br As the cooling waters flow br br Past the green of long dead coal fields br br Past the continents of snow. br br br Yes, forever and as truly br br As the waters changeless are, br br Have I fought for, sought and found thee br br As tonight beneath the star. br br br Ever fearing, ever hoping br br Ever winning thee at last, br br But to lose thee to regain thee, br br In the present from the past.