I Kissed You Once

I kissed you once,
in passing, in a crowd;
my face was only one,
my voice not loud.

I kissed you once;
your arms were warm and strong.
I murmured in your beard
"I love your songs."

The oak tree has fallen,
struck down in the storm.
We waited too long
our songs to perform.

I kissed you once --
I'd hardly heard you sing.
I talked to an astrologer
who saw a magic ring.

I kissed you once;
I tried to tell you then,
Holding someone else's hand,
as I shall again.

The whiteness of winter
now lies still and cold.
We put off our dancing
'til the night was too old.

I kissed you once;
how little did we know
that when we were so far apart
a closer love would grow.

I kissed you once,
in passing, in a crowd.
I only wish we could have kept
the promises we vowed.