I could not speak my love out loud, I fear;
Before such sickness took you by the wrist
But honestly I say it; write it here.

I always thought my thoughts were clear,
But when I saw you clenched in pain's fist-
I could not speak, my love, out loud, I fear.

A dream of bluest cats- sleep thus, my dear,
And sleeping, know that you are lightly kissed-
As honestly I say it; write it here

Your cats, grey velvet, cream, and smoke sleep here,
And I write softly in their drowsing midst;
I could not speak my love out loud, I fear.

And you, my lover, lying sleeping near,
Yet far from me, in dreaming's mist;
Know honestly, I say it; write it here.

For my sake just, I beg you, only hear,
I need you love, need you to persist;
I could not speak my love out loud, I fear;
Yet honestly I say it, write it here.