On Raglan Road

On Raglan Road on an Autumn Day,
I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare
That I might one day rue.
I saw the danger, and I passed
Along the enchanted way
And I said let grief be a fallen leaf
At the dawning of the day.
On Grafton Street in November,
We tripped lightly along the ledge
Of a deep ravine where can be seen
The worst of passions pledged.
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts
And I not making hay,
Well I loved too much, and by such by such
Is happiness thrown away.
I gave her gifts of the mind
I gave her the secret sign
that's known to artists who have known
The true Gods of Sound and the stone.
And word and tint without stint.
 I gave her poems to say
With her own name there and her own dark hair
Like the clouds over fields of May.
On a quiet street where old ghosts meet,
I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly. My reason must allow,
That I have loved, not as I should
A creature made of clay.
When the angel woos the clay, he'll lose
His wings at the dawn of the day.