Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) was an American author and prolific poet. Her many works include Poems of Passion and Solitude, which contains the lines “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone.” A complete collection of her poems as well as other works and information can be found at the Ella Wheeler Wilcox Society.
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I Love You
I love your lips when they’re wet with wine
And red with a wild desire;
I love your eyes when the lovelight lies
Lit with a passionate fire.
I love your arms when the warm white flesh
Touches mine in a fond embrace;
I love your hair when the strands enmesh
Your kisses against my face.
Not for me the cold, calm kiss
Of a virgin’s bloodless love;
Not for me the saint’s white bliss,
Nor the heart of a spotless dove.
But give me the love that so freely gives
And laughs at the whole world’s blame,
With your body so young and warm in my arms,
It sets my poor heart aflame.
So kiss me sweet with your warm wet mouth,
Still fragrant with ruby wine,
And say with a fervor born of the South
That your body and soul are mine.
Clasp me close in your warm young arms,
While the pale stars shine above,
And we’ll live our whole young lives away
In the joys of a living love.
Kiss Me
Then, kiss me, sweet, just as you please;
I will not point, nor scold, nor tease;
Kiss me, dear love, in thy sweet way,
But kiss me oft, sweetheart, I pray!
Oh, sweet, I would be understood,
Give me a little kiss and good;
Kiss me, and in thy own sweet way–
Kiss me by night, kiss me by day;
Kiss me at morn, at noon, at night–
Kiss me whene’er you think it right;
Kiss me in pleasure, or in pain,
Oh, kiss me love, once and again!–
Kiss me, whate’er your mood may be,
With thrilling, soulful ecstasy!