Barter

Barter
By Sara Teasdale

Life has loveliness to see,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings
And children’s face looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit’s delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of space
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy,
Give all you have been, or could be.