V For Venus

Is that star dumb, or am I deaf?

Hour after hour I listen here

To catch the lovely music played

By Venus down the evening air.

Before the other stars come out,

Before the Moon is in her place-

I sit and watch those fingers move,

And mark the twitching of her face.

Hour after hour I strain my ears

For lovely notes that will not come:

Is it my mortal flesh that's deaf,

Or that long-fingered star that's dumb?