I had not minded - Walls -
Were Universe - one Rock -
And far I heard his silver Call
The other side the Block -
I'd tunnel - till my Groove
Pushed sudden thro' to his -
Then my face take her Recompense -
The looking in his Eyes -
But 'tis a single Hair -
A filament - a law -
A Cobweb - wove in Adamant -
A Battlement - of Straw -
A limit like the Vail
Unto the Lady's face -
But every Mesh - a Citadel -
And Dragons - in the Crease.
When Diamonds are a Legend,
And Diadems - a Tale -
I Brooch and Earrings for Myself,
Do sow, and Raise for sale -
And tho' I'm scarce accounted,
My Art, a Summer Day - had Patrons -
Once - it was a Queen -
And once - a Butterfly.
C'è un Languore della Vita
Più minaccioso del Dolore -
È il Successore del Dolore - Quando l'Anima
Ha sofferto tutto ciò che poteva.
There is a Languor of the Life
More imminent than Pain -
'Tis Pain's Successor - When the Soul
Has suffered all it can -
A Drowsiness - diffuses -
A Dimness like a Fog
Envelops Consciousness -
As Mists - obliterate a Crag.
The Surgeon - does not blanch - at pain
His Habit - is severe -
But tell him that it ceased to feel -
The Creature lying there -
And he will tell you - skill is late -
A Mightier than He -
Has ministered before Him -
There's no Vitality.
Reverse cannot befall
That fine Prosperity
Whose Sources are interior -
As soon - Adversity
A Diamond - overtake
In far - Bolivian Ground -
Misfortune hath no implement
Could mar it - if it found -.
'Twas Love - not me -
Oh punish - pray -
The Real one died for Thee -
Just Him - not me -
Such Guilt - to love Thee - most!
Doom it beyond the Rest -
Forgive it - last -
'Twas base as Jesus - most!
Let Justice not mistake -
We Two - looked so alike -
Which was the Guilty Sake -
'Twas Love's - Now Strike!
Did Our Best Moment last -
'Twould supersede the Heaven -
A few - and they by Risk - procure -
So this Sort - are not given -
Except as stimulants - in
Cases of Despair -
Or Stupor - The Reserve -
These Heavenly Moments are -
A Grant of the Divine -
That Certain as it Comes -
Withdraws - and leaves the dazzled Soul
In her unfurnished Rooms.
Through the Dark Sod - as Education -
The Lily passes sure -
Feels her white foot - no trepidation -
Her faith - no fear -
Afterward - in the Meadow -
Swinging her Beryl Bell -
The Mold-life - all forgotten - now -
In Extasy - and Dell -.
A Visitor in Marl -
Who influences Flowers -
Till they are orderly as Busts -
And Elegant - as Glass -
Who visits in the Night -
And just before the Sun -
Concludes his glistening interview -
Caresses - and is gone -
But whom his fingers touched -
And where his feet have run -
And whatsoever Mouth be kissed -
Is as it had not been -.
It's coming - the postponeless Creature -
It gains the Block - and now - it gains the Door -
Chooses it's latch, from all the other fastenings -
Enters - with a "You know Me - Sir"?
Simple Salute - and certain Recognition -
Bold - were it Enemy - Brief - were it friend -
Dresses each House in Crape, and Icicle -
And Carries one - out of it - to God -.