I meant to have but modest needs -
Such as Content - and Heaven -
Within my income - these could lie
And Life and I - keep even -
But since the last - included both -
It would suffice my Prayer
But just for One - to stipulate -
And Grace would grant the Pair -

And so - upon this wise - I prayed -
Great Spirit - Give to me
A Heaven not so large as Your's,
But large enough - for me -

A Smile suffused Jehovah's face -
The Cherubim - withdrew -
Grave Saints stole out to look at me -
And showed their dimples - too -

I left the Place - with all my might -
I threw my Prayer away -
The Quiet Ages picked it up -
And Judgment - twinkled - too -
That one so honest - be extant -
It take the Tale for true -
That "Whatsoever Ye shall ask -
Itself be given You" -

But I, grown shrewder - scan the Skies
With a suspicious Air -
As Children - swindled for the first
All Swindlers - be - infer.

Emily Dickinson

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