To an Ancient Head of Aphrodite

SOLITARY as a falling star
Banished from Kosmos on a summer night,
Who watched the swift disaster of thy flight,
Or dreamed — and feared — thy destiny afar?
Human as the rose-lipped living are
Thy little, modest, smiling, youthful head;
Long thou wert in the dark earth closeted
With youth no years could steal or passion mar.

Though countless noons have crossed thy reverie,
No noon has dried thy bloom so shadowy.
Oh, what is Time and the slow march of spheres,
And exile from the sun and human eyes,
If thou canst in these latter centuries,
O Cyprian, stir joy and love and tears!