I wish to bend your smiles so as better br To ease my truth. br I had lost the form of loving br When you last battled my love with yours. br br Happiness is a coupling of love, br Now a breaking of our tides br I wish I had power to love you br For that’s where happiness lies. br br You may tear apart your letters br As better forms of truth br You may tear apart my will br But my soul can never love you. br br You may shout and answer br And force my temperament on you br With steady violence and accord br You may even hold me true—this I’ll let you do. br br I could touch your tears and kiss br Again your paling mask of man’s defeat— br I could touch your curls and wonder br If it’s in this that true love breeds. br br But behind the passion of something lost br I find myself in you br I mirror my face with yours br In level and in truth br br And repeat the words of fate: br I honestly can never love you.