Donald Jeffrey Hayes, "Confession" (1927)
That I should with a prayer
Give her absolution
(How golden was her hair!)
She begged an absolution
While the moments fled
She thought my tears were pity
(My soul her lips were red!)
She begged of me forgiveness
God you understand
(For pale and soft and slender
Was her dainty hand!)
She begged that I should pray You
That her Soul might rest
But I could not pray O Master
(Ivory was her breast!)
Published in Caroling Dusk, 1927