Among the birth and bud
Of each new smile
That said without a word
'I have lost once or twice'

Knowledge of decline
But only
In the sense of sunsets
Dipping full blush
Like girlish eyes
Again to rise
Again to rise

???

Step by palsied step
The days deliver us new bread
Kneaded by hands
Aged by a billion life-times
To age a billion more

???

There was something
Among the birth and bud
Of each new smile
That said without a word
'I have lost once or twice'