Again + 

Well, I’ve met her again⁠—at the Mission. + 

She’d told me to see her no more; + 

It was not a command⁠—a petition; + 

I’d granted it once before. + 

Yes, granted it, hoping she’d write me, + 

Repenting her virtuous freak⁠— + 

Subdued myself daily and nightly + 

For the better part of a week. + 

And then (’twas my duty to spare her + 

The shame of recalling me) I + 

Just sought her again to prepare her + 

For an everlasting good-bye. + 

O, that evening of bliss⁠—shall I ever + 

Cease living it over?⁠—although + 

She said, when ’twas ended: “You’re never + 

To see me again. And now go.” + 

As we parted with kisses ’twas human + 

And natural for me to smile + 

As I thought, “She’s in love, and a woman: + 

She’ll send for me after a while.” + 

But she didn’t; and so⁠—well, the old Mission + 

Is fine, picturesque and gray; + 

’Tis an excellent place for contrition⁠— + 

And sometimes she passes that way. + 

That’s how it occurred that I met her, + 

And that’s all there is to tell⁠— + 

Except that I’d like to forget her + 

Calm way of remarking: “I’m well.” + 

It was hardly worth while, all this keying + 

My soul to such tensions and stirs + 

To learn that her food was agreeing + 

With that little stomach of hers. + 