Son coeur est un luth suspendu;
                Sitot qu'n le touch il resonne.

                                        De Beranger


                And you have touched my heart, dear Star; your glow
                 Enough to light the gloom that I once knew,
                Your smile within your sparkling eyes, they show
                 Reason enough for these words. I have few
                 Reasons, now, to speak of my thoughts. Yet you
                Have freed my words, given me hope, and so
                 I think of you and hope that you will find
                 Reason to think of me, within your mind.

                Perhaps I love you: how can one be sure
                 Of that? Would this image of you remain
                Before me, if your touch were not the cure
                 That I have sought, to help to ease the pain
                 Of past emotions? How can I refrain
                From thoughts as these? Without, my dreams are poor.
                 I do not mean to ask, nor would I say
                 That you should feel towards me the self-same way.

                Yet if you did find thoughts as these could mean
                 More than mere words, my joy would know no end.
                To hold you in my arms remains a dream:
                 Do such dreams harm my cause? Do they offend,
                 These honest thoughts I write? Will you then send
                Some answer to these questions? Would I seem
                 To ask too much for that? My heart controls
                 My pen: Yet your words would my thoughts console.

                How can I tell you how I feel, tonight,
                 With you so far? I could prize our friendship
                No bit more if you were within my sight:
                 Yet perhaps I could then let these words slip,
                 And show my thoughts. Now, only the bare tip
                Of my dreams show. Is that concealment right?
                 Can these lines bare my soul? I think not, yet
                 I would not this small chance ever forget.

                                                        16/8/76