Enigma

There is no peace with you,
Nor any rest!
Your presence is a torture to the brain.
Your words are barbed arrows to the breast,
And one but greets
To wish you sped again.
Frustrate you make desire
And action vain.

There is no peace with you .
No peace . . .
Nor any rest.
Yet in your absence
Longing springs anew,
And hopefulness besets the baffled brain.

"If only you were you and yet not you!"
If you such joy could give as you give pain!
Then what an unguent for the burning breast!
And for the harassed heart
What rapture true!
"If only you were you and yet not you!"
There is no peace with you
Nor ever any rest!

Written by Jessie Redmon Fauset (1882-1961)