I’ll Explain [poem by Agnes L. Storrie]

[Editor: This poem by Agnes L. Storrie was published in Poems, 1909.]

I’ll Explain.

I know just how it happened,
I remember what you said,
And how I would not listen
And how you bowed your head
In angry salutation as you strode off through the rain,
If you’ll just come back a moment,
Oh, my dearest! I’ll explain.

I’ve been waiting, I’ve been watching
All this long and weary while,
I’ve been brushing from my lashes
Tears that tried to drown a smile;
I’ve been bridging with my wishes
These long weeks of bitter pain,
And if you’ll come and listen,
Oh, my dearest! I’ll explain.

There were words we might have spoken,
And some we should have missed,
There was just one little moment
When I’m sure we should have kissed;
There were thoughts we might have sheltered
And some we should have slain,
But ’twill all come right, believe me,
If you’ll let me just explain.

If you’ll only come back, dearest,
And take my eager hand,
That has sought so long to find you,
I can make you understand.
Oh! my heart! it is but mocking,
You will never come again,
For the dead care not to hear us,
Howsoever we explain.

Source:
Agnes L. Storrie. Poems, J. W. Kettlewell, Sydney, 1909, pages 145-146