>> From the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. ^E00:00:04 ^B00:00:28 >> Meg Steel, 374. It will be Summer -- eventually. Ladies -- with parasols -- Sauntering Gentlemen -- with Canes -- And little Girls -- with Dolls -- Will tint the pallid landscape -- As 'twere a bright Bouquet -- Thro' drifted deep, in Parian -- The Village lies -- today -- The Lilacs -- bending many a year -- Will sway with purple load -- The Bees -- will not despise the tune -- Their Forefathers -- have hummed -- The Wild Rose -- redden in the Bog -- The Aster -- on the Hill, Her everlasting fashion -- set -- And Covenant Gentians -- frill -- Till Summer folds her miracle -- As Women -- do -- their Gown -- Or Priests -- adjust the Symbols -- When Sacrament -- is done. 375. My Reward for being was this. My premium -- My Bliss -- An Admiralty, less -- A Sceptre -- penniless -- And Realms -- just Dross -- When Thrones accost my Hands -- With Me, Miss, Me -- I'll unroll Thee -- sufficient dynasty -- creation powerless -- to peer this grace -- empire -- state -- too little, dust to dower so great. 376. Twas the old -- road -- through pain -- That unfrequented -- one --With many a turn -- and thorn -- That stops -- at Heaven -- This -- was the Town -- she passed --There -- where she -- rested -- last -- Then -- stepped more fast -- The little tracks -- close prest -- Then -- not so swift -- Slow -- slow -- as feet did weary -- grow -- Then -- stopped -- no other track! Wait! Look! Her little Book -- The leaf -- at love -- turned back -- Her very Hat -- And this worn shoe just fits the track -- Herself -- though -- fled! Another bed -- a short one -- Women make -- tonight -- In Chambers bright -- Too out of sight -- though -- From our hoarse Good Night -- To touch her Head! 377. At least -- to pray -- is left -- is left -- Oh Jesus -- in the Air -- I know not which thy chamber is -- I'm knocking -- everywhere -- Thou settest Earthquake in the South -- And Maelstrom, in the Sea -- Say, Jesus Christ of Nazareth -- Hast thou no Arm for Me? 378. Better -- than Music! For I -- who heard it -- I was used -- to the Birds -- before -- This -- was different -- 'Twas Translation -- Of all tunes I knew -- and more -- 'Twasn't contained -- like other stanza -- No one could play it -- the second time -- But the Composer -- perfect Mozart -- Perish with him -- that Keyless Rhyme! Children so -- told how Brooks in Eden -- Bubbled a better -- Melody -- Quaintly infer -- Eve's great surrender -- Urging the feet -- that would -- not -- fly -- Children -- matured -- are wiser mostly -- Eden -- a legend -- dimly told -- Eve -- and the Anguish -- Grandame's story -- But -- I was telling a tune -- I heard -- Not such a strain -- the Church -- baptizes -- When the last Saint -- goes up the Aisles -- Not such a stanza splits the silence -- When the Redemption strikes her Bells -- Let me not spill -- its smallest cadence -- Humming -- for promise -- when alone -- Humming -- until my faint Rehearsal -- Drop into tune -- around the Throne. 379. The Grass so little has to do -- A Sphere of simple Green -- With only Butterflies to brood And Bees to entertain -- And stir all day to pretty Tunes The Breezes fetch along -- And hold the Sunshine in its lap And bow to everything -- And thread the Dews, all night, like Pearl -- And make itself so fine A Duchess were too common For such a noticing -- And even when it die -- to pass In Odor so divine -- As Lowly spices, lay to sleep -- Or Spikenards, perishing -- And then, to dwell in Sovereign Barns -- And dream the Days away, The Grass so little has to do I wish I were a Hay. 380. All the letters I can write Are not fair as this -- Syllables of Velvet -- Sentences of Plush, Depths of Ruby, undrained, Hid, Lip, for Thee -- Play it were a Humming Bird --And just sipped -- me. 381. I cannot dance upon my Toes -- No Man instructed me -- But oftentimes, among my mind, A Glee possesseth me, That had I Ballet knowledge --Would put itself abroad In Pirouette to blanch a Troupe -- Or lay a Prima, mad, And though I had no Gown of Gauze -- No Ringlet, to my Hair, Nor hopped for Audiences -- like Birds, One Claw upon the Air, Nor tossed my shape in Eider Balls, Nor rolled on wheels of snow Till I was out of sight, in sound, The House encore me so -- Nor any now I know the Art I mention -- easy -- Here -- Nor any Placard boast me -- It's full as Opera. ^E00:06:00 ^B00:06:14 >> Nicole Montez. Good Morning. Midnight -- I'm coming Home -- Day -- got tired of Me -- How could I -- of Him? Sunshine was sweet place -- I liked to stay -- But Morn -- didn't want me -- now -- So -- Goodnight -- Day! I can look -- can't I -- When the East is Red? The Hills -- have a way -- then -- That puts the Heart -- abroad -- You -- are so not fair -- Midnight -- I choose -- Day -- But -- please take a little Girl -- He turned away! 383. I like to see it lap the Miles -- And lick the Valleys up -- And stop to feed itself at Tanks -- And then -- prodigious step Around the Pile of Mountains -- And supercilious peer In Shanties -- by the sides of Roads -- And then a Quarry pare It fits its Sides And crawl between Complaining all the while In horrid -- hooting stanza -- The chase itself down Hill -- Then -- And neigh then prompted with a Star Stop -- docile and ompitant, pardeon me -- omnipotent -- oh, and that stable door. It don't sound so terrible -- quite -- as it did -- I run it over -- Dead, Brain, Dead. Put it in Latin -- let on my school -- Seem I don't shriek so -- under rule. Turn it, a little -- full in the face A Trouble looks bitterest -- Shift it -- just -- Say When Tomorrow comes this way -- I shall have wader down one Day. I suppose it will interrupt me some Till I get accustomed -- but then the Tomb Like other thing -- new Things -- shows largest -- then -- And smaller, by Habit -- It's shrewder then Put the Thought in advance -- a Year -- How like a fit -- then -- Murder -- wear! I'll clutch -- and clutch -- Next -- One -- Might be the golden touch -- Could take it -- Diamonds -- Wait -- I'm diving -- just a little late -- But stars -- go slow -- for night -- I'm -- I'll string you -- and fine Necklace -- Tiaras -- make -- of some -- Wear you on Hem -- Loop on a Countess -- with you -- Made -- of Diadem -- and mend my old One -- Count -- Hoard -- then lose -- And doubt that you are mine -- To have the joy of feeling it -- again -- I'll show you at the Court -- Bear you -- an Ornament Where Women breathe -- Then every sigh -- you may lift Just as high -- as I -- And -- when I die -- In meek array -- display you -- Still to show -- how rich I go -- Lest Skies impeach a wealth so wonderful -- And banish me. 386. Taking up the fair Ideal, Just to cast her down How a fracture we discover -- Or a splintered Crown -- Makes the Heaven portable -- And the Gods -- a lie -- Doubtless -- Adam -- scrolled at Eden -- For his perjury! Cherishing -- our poor Idea -- Till in purer dress -- We behold her -- glorified -- Comforts -- search -- like this -- Till the broken creatures -- We adored -- for whole -- Stains -- all washed -- Transfigured -- mended -- Meet us -- with a smile. 387. The Moon is distant from the Sea -- And yet, with Amber Hands -- She leads Him -- docile as a Boy -- Along appointed Sands -- He never misses a Degree -- Obedient to Her Eye He comes just so far -- towards the Town -- Just so far -- goes away -- Oh, Signor, Thine, the Amber Hand -- And mine -- the distant Sea -- Obedient to the least command Thy eye impose on me. 388. It would never be Common -- more -- I said -- Different -- had begun -- Maybe a bitterness -- has been -- But this old sort -- was done -- Or -- if it sometime -- showed -- a 'twill -- Upon the Downiest -- Morn -- Such bliss -- had I -- for all the years -- 'Twould give an Easier -- pain -- I'd so much joy -- I told it -- Red -- Upon my simple Cheek -- I felt a publish in my Eye -- 'Twas needle -- and speak -- I walked -- and wings -- my body bore -- Then feet -- a former used -- Unnecessary -- now to me -- As boots -- would be -- to Birds -- I put my pleasure all abroad -- I felt a word of Gold To every Creature -- that I meet -- And Down -- all the World -- When -- suddenly -- my Riches shrank -- A Goblin -- drank my Dew -- My Palaces -- dropped tentiless -- Myself -- was beggared -- too -- I clutched at sounds -- I groped at shapes -- I touched the tops of Films -- I felt the Wilderness roll back Along my Golden lines -- The Sackcloth -- hangs upon the nail -- The Frock I used to wear -- But where my moment of Brigade -- My -- drop -- of India? Me. 389. Me -- come! My dazzled face In such a shining place! Me -- hear! My foreign Ear The sounds of Welcome -- there! The Saints forget Our bashful feet -- My Holiday, shall be That They -- remember me -- My Paradise -- the fame That They -- pronounce my name. 390. Do People moulder equally, They bury, in the Grave? I do believe a Species As positively lived As I, who testify it Deny that I -- am dead -- And fill my Lungs, with Witness -- From Tanks -- above my Head -- I say to you, said Jesus -- That there be standing here -- A Sort, that shall not taste of Death -- If Jesus were sincere -- I need no further Argue -- The statement of the Lord It is not convertible -- He told me, Death was dead. 391. Knows how to forget! But could I teach it? Earliest of Arts, they say When one learned how Dull Hearts have died In the Acquisition Sacrificed for Science Is common, though, now -- I went to School But was not wiser Globe did not teach it Nor Logarithm Show. How to forget! Some -- say -- Philosopher! Oh, Enough to know! It is in the Book? So, I could buy it -- It is like a Planet? Telescopes would know -- If it be invention It must have a Patent. Rabbi of the Wise Book Do you know? 392. We talked as Girls do -- Fond, and late -- We speculated fair, on every subject, of the Grave -- Of ours, none affair -- We handled Deities, of cool -- As we -- Disposers -- be -- And God, a Quiet Party To our Authority -- But fondest, dwelt upon Our self As we eventually -- be -- When Girls to Women, softly raised We -- occupy -- Degree -- We parted with a contract To cherish, and to write But Heaven made both, possible -- impossible Before another night. 393. Empty my Heart, of Thee -- Its single Artery -- Begin, and leave Thee out -- Simple Extension's Date -- Much Bellow hath the Sea -- One Baltic -- Thee that -- they Subtract Thyself, in play, And not enough for me Is left -- to put away -- Myself meant Thee -- Erase the Root -- no Tree -- Thee -- then -- no me -- The Heavens stripped -- Eternity's vast pocket, picked. ^E00:15:59 ^B00:16:12 >> I cried at Pity -- not at Pain -- I heard a Woman say Poor Child -- and something in her voice Convinced me -- of me -- So long I fainted, to myself It seemed the common way, And Health, and Laughter, Curious things -- To look at, like a Toy -- To sometimes hear Rich people buy And see the Parcel rolled -- And carried, We supposed -- to Heaven, For children, made of Gold -- But not to touch, or wish for, Or think of, with a sigh -- As so and so -- had been to us, Had God willed differently. I wish I knew that Woman's name -- So when she comes this way, To hold my life, and hold my ears For fear I hear her say So sorry I am dead -- she's sorry I am dead again -- Just when the Grave and I -- Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep, Our only Lullaby. 395. The face I carry with me -- last -- When I go out of Time -- To take my Rank -- by -- in the West. That face -- will just be thine -- I'll hand it to the Angel -- That -- Sir -- was my Degree -- In Kingdoms -- you have heard the Raised -- Referred to -- possibly. He'll take it -- scan it --step aside -- Return -- with such a crown As Gabriel -- never capered at -- And beg me put it on -- And then -- he'll turn me round and round -- To an admiring sky -- As one that bore her Master's name -- Sufficient Royalty! 396. I took one Draught of Life -- I'll tell you what I paid -- Precisely an existence -- The market price, they said. They weighed me, Dust by Dust -- They balanced Film and Film, Then handed me my Being's worth -- A single Dram of Heaven! 397. A Train went through a burial gate, A bird broke forth and sang, And trilled, and quivered, and shook his throat Till all the churchyard rang; And then adjusted his little notes, And bowed and sang again. Doubtless, he thought it meet of him To say good-by to men. 398. The Morning after Woe -- 'Tis frequently the Way -- Surpasses all that rose before -- For utter Jubilee -- As Nature did not care -- And piled her Blossoms on -- The further to parade a Joy Her Victim stared upon -- The Birds declaim their Tunes -- Pronouncing every word Like Hammers -- Did they know they fell Like Litanies of Lead --On here and there -- a creature -- They'd modify the Glee To fit some Crucifixal Clef -- Some Key of Calvary. 399. Departed to the judgment, A mighty afternoon; Great clouds like ushers leaning, Creation looking on. The flesh surrendered, cancelled, The bodiless begun; Two worlds, like audiences, disperse And leave the soul alone. 400. I think the Hemlock likes to stand Upon a Marge of Snow -- It suits his own Austerity -- And satisfies an awe That men, must slake in Wilderness -- And in the Desert -- cloy -- An instinct for the Hoar, the Bald -- Lapland's -- necessity -- The Hemlock's nature thrives -- on cold -- The Gnash of Northern winds Is sweetest nutriment -- to him -- His best Norwegian Wines -- To satin Races -- he is nought -- But Children on the Don, Beneath his Tabernacles, play, And Dnieper Wrestlers, run. 401. Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat? -- Then crouch within the door -- Red -- is the Fire's common tint -- But when the vivid Ore Has vanquished Flame's conditions, It quivers from the Forge Without a color, but the light Of unanointed Blaze. Least Village boasts its Blacksmith Whose Anvil's even ring Stands symbol for the finer Forge That soundless tugs -- within -- Refining these impatient Ores With Hammer, and with Blaze Until the Designated Light Repudiate the Forge. ^E00:20:35 ^B00:20:47 >> Karen Lynn Femia. Number 402. To hear an Oriole sing May be a common thing -- Or only a divine. It is not of the Bird Who sings the same, unheard, As unto the Crowd -- The Fashion of the Ear Attireth that it hear In Dun, or fair -- Or whether it be Rune, Or whether it be none It is of within. The Tune is in the Tree -- The Skeptic -- showeth me -- No Sir! In Thee! 403. I Reason, earth is short, And anguish absolute, And many hurt; But what of that? I reason, we could die; The best vitality Cannot excel decay; But what of that? I reason that in heaven Somehow, it will be even, Some new equation given; But what of that? 404. To put this World down, like a Bundle -- And walk steady, away, Requires Energy -- possibly Agony -- 'Tis the Scarlet way Trodden with strange renunciation By the Son of God -- Later, his faint Confederates Justify the Road -- Flavors of that old Crucifixion -- Filaments of Bloom, Pontius Pilate sowed -- Strong Clusters, from Barabbas' Tomb -- Sacrament, Saints partook before us -- Patent, every drop, With the Brand of the Gentile Drinker Who indorsed the Cup. Although I put away his life -- An Ornament too grand. 405. Although I put away his life -- An Ornament too grand For Forehead low as mine, to wear, This might have been the Hand That sowed the flower, he preferred -- Or smoothed the homely pain, Or pushed the pebble from his path -- Or played his chosen tune -- On Lute the least -- the latest -- But just his Ear could know That whatsoe'er delighted it, I never would let it go -- The foot to bear his errand -- A little Boot I know -- Would leap abroad like Antelope -- With just the grant to do -- His weariest Commandment -- A sweeter to obey, Than Hide and Seek -- Or skip to Flutes -- Or all Day, chase the Bee -- Your Servant, Sir, will weary -- The Surgeon, will not come -- The World, will have its own -- to do -- The Dust, will vex your Frame -- The Cold will force your tightest door Some February Day, But say my apron bring the sticks To make your Cottage gay -- That I may take that promise To Paradise, with me -- To teach the Angels, avarice, You, Sir, taught first -- to me. 406. Over and over, like a Tune -- The Recollection plays -- Drums off the Phantom Battlements Cornets of Paradise -- Snatches, from Baptized Generations -- Cadences too grand But for the Justified Processions At the Lord's Right hand. 407. One need not be a Chamber -- to be Haunted -- One need not be a House -- The Brain has Corridors --surpassing Material Place -- Far safer, of a Midnight Meeting External Ghost Than its interior Confronting -- That Cooler Host. Far safer, though an Abbey gallop, The Stones a'chase -- That Unarmed, one's a'self encounter -- In lonesome Place -- Ourself behind ourself, concealed -- Should startle most -- Assassin hid in our Apartment Be Horror's least. The Body -- borrows a Revolver --He bolts the Door -- O'erlooking a superior spectre -- Or More. Like some old. 408. Like Some Old fashioned Miracle When Summertime is done -- Seems Summer's Recollection And the Affairs of June As infinite Tradition As Cinderella's Bays -- Or Little John -- of Lincoln Green -- Or Blue Beard's Galleries -- Her Bees have a fictitious Hum -- Her Blossoms, like a Dream -- So plausible -- they seem -- Her Memories like Strains -- Review -- When Orchestra is dumb -- The Violin in Baize replaced -- And Ear -- and Heaven -- numb. ^E00:25:48 ^B00:26:03 >> I'm Dora Mallick. The Soul selects her own Society -- Then -- shuts the Door -- To her divine Majority -- Present no more -- Unmoved -- she notes the Chariots -- pausing -- At her low Gate -- Unmoved -- an Emperor be kneeling Upon her Mat -- I've known her -- from an ample nation -- Choose One -- Then -- close the Valves of her attention -- Like Stone. 410. How sick -- to wait -- in any place -- but thine -- I knew last night -- when someone tried to twine -- Thinking -- perhaps -- that I looked tired -- or alone -- Or breaking -- almost -- with unspoken pain -- And I turned -- ducal -- That right -- was thine -- One port -- suffices -- for a Brig -- like mine -- Ours be the tossing -- wild though the sea -- Rather than a Mooring -- unshared by thee. Ours be the Cargo -- unladed -- here -- Rather than the spicy isles -- And thou -- not there. 411. Mine -- by the Right of the White Election! Mine -- by the Royal Seal! Mine -- by the Sign in the Scarlet prison -- Bars -- cannot conceal! Mine -- here -- in Vision -- and in Veto! Mine -- by the Grave's Repeal -- Titled -- Confirmed -- Delirious Charter! Mine -- long as Ages steal! 412. She lay as if at play Her life had leaped away -- Intending to return -- But not so soon -- Her merry Arms, half dropt -- As if for lull of sport -- An instant had forgot -- The Trick to start -- Her dancing Eyes -- ajar -- As if their Owner were Still sparkling through For fun -- at you -- Her Morning at the door -- Devising, I am sure -- To force her sleep -- So light -- so deep. 413. Heaven is so far of the Mind That were the Mind dissolved -- The Site -- of it -- by Architect Could not again be proved -- 'Tis vast -- as our Capacity -- As fair -- as our idea -- To Him of adequate desire No further 'tis, than Here. 414. Inconceivably solemn! Things go gay Pierce -- by the very Press Of Imagery -- Their far Parades -- order on the eye With a mute Pomp -- A pleading Pageantry -- Flags, are a brave sight -- But no true Eye Ever went by One -- Steadily --Music's triumphant -- But the fine Ear Winces with delight Are Drums too near. 415. More Life -- went out -- when He went Than Ordinary Breath -- Lit with a finer Phosphor -- Requiring in the Quench -- A Power of Renowned Cold, The Climate of the Grave A Temperature just adequate So Anthracite, to live -- For some -- an Ampler Zero -- A Frost more needle keen Is necessary, to reduce The Ethiop within. Others -- extinguish easier -- A Gnat's minutest Fan Sufficient to obliterate A Tract of Citizen -- Whose Peat life -- amply vivid -- Ignores the solemn News That Popocatapel exists -- Or Etna's Scarlets, Choose. ^E00:30:28 ^B00:30:40 >> Eleanor Heginbotham. 416. The Months have ends -- the Years -- a knot -- a knot no Power can untie To stretch a little further the Skein of Misery -- The Earth lays back these tired lives In her mysterious Drawers -- Too tenderly, that any doubt An ultimate Repose -- The manner of the Children -- Who weary of the Day -- Themself -- the noisy Plaything They cannot put away. 417. Removed from Accident of Loss By Accident of Gain Befalling not my simple Days -- Myself had just to earn -- Of Riches -- as unconscious As is the Brown Malay Of Pearls in Eastern Waters, Marked His -- What Holiday Would stir his slow conception -- Had he the power to dream That but the Dower's fraction -- Awaited even -- Him. 418. Your Riches -- taught me -- Poverty. Myself -- a Millionaire In little Wealths, as Girls could boast Till broad as Buenos Ayre -- You drifted your Dominions -- A Different Peru -- And I esteemed All Poverty For Life's Estate with you -- Of Mines, I little know -- myself -- But just the names, of Gems -- The Colors of the Commonest -- And scarce of Diadems -- So much, that did I meet the Queen -- Her Glory I should know -- But this, must be a different Wealth -- To miss it -- beggars so -- I'm sure 'tis India -- all Day -- To those who look on You -- Without a stint -- without a blame, Might I -- but be the Jew -- I'm sure it is Golconda -- Beyond my power to deem -- To have a smile for Mine -- each Day, How better, than a Gem! At least, it solaces to know That there exists -- a Gold -- Altho' I prove it, just in time Its distance -- to behold -- Its far -- far Treasure to surmise -- And estimate the Pearl -- That slipped my simple fingers through -- While just a Girl at School. 419. A Toad, can die of Light -- Death is the Common Right Of Toads and Men -- Of Earl and Midge The privilege -- Why swagger, then? The Gnat's supremacy is large as Thine -- Life -- is a different Thing -- So measure Wine -- Naked of Flask -- Naked of Cask -- Bare Rhine -- Which Ruby's mine? 420. There are two Ripenings -- one -- of sight -- Whose forces Spheric wind Until the Velvet product Drop spicy to the ground -- A homelier maturing -- A process in the Bur -- That teeth of Frosts alone disclose On far October Air. 421. It ceased to hurt me, though so slow I could not see the Trouble go -- But only knew by looking back -- That something -- had benumbed the Track -- Not when it altered, I could -- Nor when it altered I could say, For I had worn it, every day, As constant as the Childish frock -- I hung upon the Peg, at night. But not the Grief -- that nestled close As needles -- ladies softly press To Cushion Cheeks -- To keep their place -- Nor what consoled it, I could trace -- Except, whereas 'twas Wilderness --It's better -- almost Peace. ^E00:35:32 ^B00:35:47 >> Ethel Burt Miller. 422. Give little Anguish -- Lives will fret -- Give Avalanches -- And they'll slant --Strengthen -- look cautious for their Breath -- But make no syllable -- like Death --Who only shows his Marble Discs -- Sublimer sort -- than Speech. 423. The first Day's Night had come -- And grateful that a thing So terrible -- had been endured -- I told my Soul to sing -- She said her Strings were snapt -- Her Bow -- to Atoms blown -- And so to mend her -- gave me work Until another Morn -- And then -- a Day as huge As Yesterdays in pairs, Unrolled its horror in my face -- Until it blocked my eyes -- My Brain -- begun to laugh -- I mumbled -- like a fool -- And tho' 'tis Years ago -- that Day -- My Brain keeps giggling -- still. And something odd -- within -- That person that I was -- And this One -- do not feel the same -- Could it be Madness -- this? 424. The Color of the Grave is Green -- The Outer Grave -- I mean --You would not know it from the Field -- Except it own a Stone -- To help the fond - to find it -- Too infinite asleep To stop and tell them where it is -- But just a Daisy -- deep -- The Color of the Grave is white --The outer Grave -- I mean -- You would know not know it from the Drifts -- In Winter -- till the Sun -- Has furrowed out the Aisles -- Then -- higher than the Land The little Dwelling Houses rise Where each -- has left a friend --The Color of the Grave within -- The Duplicate -- I mean -- Not all the Snows could make it white -- Though how the Summers -- Green --You seen the Color -- maybe -- Upon a Bonnet bound -- When there you met it with before -- The Ferret -- cannot find. 425. Twas a Maelstrom, with a notch, That nearer, every Day, Kept narrowing its boiling Wheel Until the Agony Toyed coolly with the final inch Of your delirious Hem -- And you dropt, lost, When something broke -- And you let from a Dream -- As if a Goblin with a Gauge -- Kept measuring the Hours -- Until you felt your Second Weigh, helpless, in his Paws -- And not a Sinew -- stirred -- could help, And sense was setting numb --When God --remembered -- and the Fiend Let go, then, Overcome -- As if your Sentence stood --pronounced -- And you were frozen led From Dungeon's luxury of Doubt To Gibbet, and the Dead -- And when the Film had stitched your eyes A Creature gasped Reprieve! Which Anguish was the utterest -- then -- To perish, or to live? ^E00:38:47 ^B00:39:01 >> I'm Jean Nordhouse. 426. I gave myself to Him -- And took Himself, for Pay, The solemn contract of a Life Was ratified, this way -- The Wealth might disappoint -- Myself a poorer prove Than this great Purchaser suspect, The Daily Own -- of Love Depreciate the Vision -- But till the Merchant buy -- Still Fable -- in the Isles of Spice -- The subtle Cargoes -- lie -- At least -- 'tis Mutual -- Risk -- Some -- found it -- Mutual Gain -- Sweet Debt of Life -- Each Night to owe -- Insolvent -- every Noon. Sunset at Night. 427. Sunset at night is natural -- But Sunset on the Dawn Reverses Nature -- Master -- So Midnight's -- due -- at Noon. Eclipses be -- predicted -- And Science bows them in -- But do one face us suddenly --Jehovah's Watch -- is wrong. 428. We grow accustomed to the Dark -- When light is put away -- As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp To witness her Goodbye -- A Moment -- We uncertain step For newness of the night -- Then -- fit our Vision to the Dark -- And meet the Road -- erect -- And so of larger -- Darknesses -- Those Evenings of the Brain -- When not a Moon disclosed a sign -- Or Star -- come out -- within -- The Bravest -- grope a little -- And sometimes hit a Tree -- a Tee -- a Tree Directly in the Forehead -- But as they learn to see -- Either the Darkness alters -- Or something in the sight Adjusts itself to Midnight -- And Life steps almost right -- straight. 429. You'll know it -- as you know 'tis Noon -- By Glory -- As you do the Sun -- By Glory -- As you will in Heaven -- Know God the Father -- and the Son. By intuition, Mightiest Things Assert themselves -- and not by terms -- I'm Midnight -- need the Midnight say -- I'm Sunrise -- Need the Majesty? Omnipotence -- had not a Tongue -- His lisp -- is Lightning -- and the Sun -- His Conversation -- with the Sea -- How shall you know? Consult your Eye! 430. A Charm invests a face Imperfectly beheld -- The Lady dare not lift her Veil For fear it be dispelled -- But peers beyond her mesh -- And wishes -- and denies --Lest Interview -- annul a want That Image -- satisfies. 431. If I may have it, when it's dead, I'll be contented -- so -- If just as soon as Breath is out It shall belong to me -- Until they lock it in the Grave, 'Tis Bliss I cannot weigh -- For tho' they lock Thee in the Grave, Myself -- can own the key -- Think of it Lover! I and Thee Permitted -- face to face to be -- After a Life -- a Death -- We'll say -- For Death was That -- And this -- is Thee -- I'll tell Thee All -- how Bald it grew -- How Midnight felt, at first -- to me -- How all the Clocks stopped in the World -- And Sunshine pinched me -- 'Twas so cold -- Then how the Grief got sleepy -- some -- As if my Soul were deaf and dumb -- Just making signs -- across -- to Thee -- That this way -- thou could'st notice me -- I'll tell you how I tried to keep A smile, to show you, when this Deep All Waded -- We look back for Play, At those Old Times -- in Calvary, Forgive me, if the Grave come slow -- For Coveting to look at Thee -- Forgive me, if to stroke thy frost Outvisions Paradise! 432. I read my sentence -- steadily -- Reviewed it with my eyes, To see that I made no mistake In its extremist clause -- The Date, and manner, of the shame -- And then the Pious Form That God have mercy on the Soul The Jury voted Him -- I made my soul familiar -- with her extremity -- That at the last, it should not be a novel Agony -- But she, and Death, acquainted -- Meet tranquilly, as friends -- Salute, and pass, without a Hint -- And there, the Matter ends. 433. A Murmur in the Trees -- to note -- Not loud enough -- for Wind -- A Star -- not far enough to seek -- Nor near enough -- to find -- A long -- long Yellow -- on the Lawn -- A Hubbub -- as of feet -- Not audible -- as Ours --to Us -- But dapperer -- More Sweet -- A Hurrying Home of little Men To Houses unperceived -- All this -- and more -- if I should tell -- Would never be believed -- Of Robins in the Trundle bed How many I espy Whose Nightgowns could not hide the Wings -- Although I heard them try -- But then I promised ne'er to tell -- How could I break My Word? So go your Way -- and I'll go Mine -- No fear you'll miss the Road. ^E00:45:28 ^B00:45:47 >> 434. It is dead -- Find it -- Out of sound -- Out of sight -- Happy? Which is wiser -- You, or the Wind? Conscious? Won't you ask that -- Of the low Ground? Homesick? Many met it -- Even through them -- This Cannot testify --Themself -- as dumb. 435. Not in this World to see his face -- Sounds long -- until I read the place Where this -- is said to be But just the Primer -- to a life -- Unopened -- rare -- Upon the Shelf -- Clasped yet - to Him -- and Me -- And yet -- My Primer suits me so I would not choose -- a Book to know Than that -- be sweeter wise -- Might some one else - so learned -- be -- And leaves me -- just my A -- B -- C -- Himself -- could have the Skies. 436. I found the word to every thought I ever had -- but One -- And that -- defies me -- As a Hand did try to chalk the Sun To Races -- nurtured in the Dark -- How would your own -- begin? Can Blaze be shown in Cochineal -- Or Noon -- in Mazarin? 437. I never felt at Home -- Below -- And in the Handsome Skies I shall not feel at Home -- I know -- I don't like Paradise -- Because it's Sunday -- all the time -- And Recess -- never comes -- And Eden -- Eden'll be so lonesome Bring Wednesday Afternoons -- If God could make a visit -- Or ever took a Nap -- So not to see us -- but they say Himself -- a Telescope Perennial beholds us -- Myself would run away From Him -- and Holy Ghost -- and All -- But there's the Judgment Day! 438. The Body grows without -- The more convenient way -- That if the Spirit -- like to hide Its Temple stands, always, Ajar -- secure -- inviting -- It never did betray The Soul that asked its shelter In solemn honesty. 439. I had been hungry, all the Years -- My Noon had Come -- to dine -- I trembling drew the Table near -- And touched the Curious Wine -- 'Twas this on Tables I had seen -- When running, hungry, Home I looked in Windows, for their Wealth I could not hope -- for Mine -- I did not know the ample Bread -- 'Twas like -- unlike the Crumb The Birds and I, had often shared In Nature's -- Dining Room -- The Plenty hurt me -- 'twas so new -- Myself felt ill -- and odd -- As Berry -- of a Mountain Bush -- Transplanted -- to the Road -- Nor was I hungry -- so I found That Hunger -- was a way Of Persons outside Windows -- The Entering -- takes away. 440. I Years had been from Home And now before the Door I dared not enter, lest a Face I never saw before Stare solid into mine And ask my Business there -- My Business but a Life I felt Was such remaining there? I leaned upon the Awe -- I lingered with Before -- The Second like an Ocean rolled And broke against my ear -- I laughed a crumbling Laugh That I could fear a Door Who Consternation compassed And never winced before. I fitted to the Latch My Hand, with trembling care Lest back the awful Door would spring And leave me in the Floor -- Then moved my Fingers off As cautiously as Glass And held my ears, and like a Thief Fled gasping from the House. 441. You'll find -- it when you try to die -- The Easier to let go -- For recollecting such as went -- You could not spare - you know. And though their place is somewhat filled -- As did their Marble names With Moss -- they never grew so full --You chose the newer names -- And when this World -- sets further back -- As Dying -- say it does -- The former love -- distincter grows -- And supersedes the fresh -- And Thought of them -- so fair invites -- It looks too tawdry Grace To stay behind -- with just the Toys We bought -- to ease their place. Thank you. ^E00:50:36 ^B00:50:48 >> Rahima Shafikola. I see thee better -- in the Dark -- I do not need a Light -- The Love of Thee -- a Prism be -- Excelling Violet -- I see thee better for the Years That hunch themselves between -- The Miner's Lamp -- sufficient be -- To nullify the Mine -- And in the Grave -- I see Thee best -- Its little Panels be Aglow -- All ruddy -- with the Light I held so high, for Thee -- What need of Day -- To Those whose Dark -- hath so -- surpassing Sun -- It deem it be -- Continually -- At the Meridian? 443. Could -- I do more -- for Thee -- Wert Thou a Bumble Bee -- Since for the Queen, have I -- Nought but Bouquet? 444. It would have starved a Gnat -- To live so small as I -- And yet I was a living Child -- With Food's necessity Upon me -- like a Claw -- I could no more remove Than I could coax a Leech away -- Or make a Dragon -- move --Nor like the Gnat -- had I -- The privilege to fly And seek a Dinner for myself -- How mightier He -- than I -- Nor like Himself -- the Art Upon the Window Pane To gad my little Being out -- And not begin -- again. 445. They shut me up in Prose -- And when a little Girl They put me in the Closet -- Because they liked me still -- Still! Could themself have peeped -- And seen my Brain -- go round -- They might as wise have lodged a Bird For Treason -- in the Pound -- Himself has but to will And easy as a Star look down upon Captivity -- And laugh -- No more have I. 446. This was a Poet -- It is That Distills amazing sense From ordinary Meanings -- And Attar so immense From the familiar species That perished by the Door -- We wonder it was not Ourselves Arrested it -- before -- Of Pictures, the Discloser -- The Poet -- it is He -- Entitles Us -- by Contrast -- To ceaseless Poverty -- Of portion -- so unconscious -- The Robbing -- could not harm -- Himself -- to Him -- a Fortune -- Exterior -- to Time. 447. In falling Timbers buried -- There breathed a Man -- Outside -- the spades -- were plying -- The Lungs -- within -- Could He -- know -- they sought Him -- Could They -- know -- He breathed -- Horrid Sand Partition -- Neither -- could be heard -- Never slacked the Diggers -- But when Spades had done -- Oh, Reward of Anguish, It was dying -- Then -- Many Things -- are fruitless -- 'Tis a Baffling Earth -- But there is no Gratitude Like the Grace -- of Death. 448. I died for beauty, but was scarce Adjusted in the tomb, When one who died for truth was lain In an adjoining room. He questioned softly why I failed? For beauty, I replied. And I for truth, -- themself are one; We brethren are, he said. And so, as kinsmen met a night, We talked between the rooms, Until the moss had reached our lips, And covered up our names. 449. Dreams -- are well -- but Waking's better, If One wake at morn -- If One wake at Midnight -- better -- Dreaming -- of the Dawn -- Sweeter -- the Surmising Robins -- Never gladdened Tree -- Than a Solid Dawn -- confronting -- Leading to no Day. 450. The Outer -- from the Inner Derives its Magnitude --'Tis Duke, or Dwarf, according As is the Central Mood -- The fine -- unvarying Axis That regulates the Wheel -- Though Spokes -- spin -- more conspicuous And fling a dust -- the while. The Inner -- paints the Outer -- The Brush without the Hand -- Its Picture publishes -- precise -- As in the inner Brand -- On fine -- Arterial Canvas -- A Cheek -- perchance a Brow -- The Star's whole Secret -- in the Lake -- Eyes were not meant to know. ^E00:55:14 ^B00:55:30 >> Joanne Rocky DeLaplane. 451. The Malay - took the Pearl -- Not -- I -- the Earl -- I -- feared the Sea -- too much Unsanctified -- to touch -- Praying that I might be Worthy -- the Destiny -- The Swarthy fellow swam -- And bore my Jewel -- Home -- Home to the Hurt! Home to the Hut! What lot Had I -- the Jewel -- got -- Borne on a Dusky Breast -- I had not deemed a Vest Of Amber -- fit -- The Negro never knew I -- wooed it -- too -- To gain, or be undone -- Alike to Him -- One . 452. Love -- thou art high -- I cannot climb thee -- But, were it Two -- Who knows but we -- Taking turns -- at the Chimborazo -- Ducal -- at last -- stand up by thee -- Love -- thou are deep -- I cannot cross thee -- But, were there Two Instead of One -- Rower, and Yacht -- some sovereign Summer -- Who knows -- but we'd reach the Sun? Love -- thou are Veiled -- A few -- behold thee -- Smile -- and alter -- and prattle -- and die -- Bliss -- were an Oddity -- without thee -- Nicknamed by God --Eternity. 453. Our journey had advanced -- Our feet were almost come To that odd Fork in Being's Road -- Eternity -- by Term -- Our pace took sudden awe -- Our feet -- reluctant -- led -- Before -- were Cities -- but between -- The Forest of the Dead -- Retreat -- was out of Hope -- Behind -- a Sealed Route -- Eternity's White Flag -- Before -- And God -- at every Gate. 454. I rose -- because He sank -- I thought it would be opposite -- But when his power dropped -- My Soul grew straight. I cheered my fainting Prince -- I sang firm -- even -- Chants -- I helped his Film -- with Hymn -- And when the Dews drew off That held his Forehead stiff -- I met him -- Balm to Balm -- I told him Best -- must pass Through this low Arch of Flesh -- No Casque so brave It spurn the Grave -- I told him Worlds I knew Where Emperors grew -- Who recollected us If we were true -- And so with Thews of Hymn -- And Sinews from within -- And ways I knew not that I knew -- till then -- I lifted Him. 455. It was given to me by the Gods -- When I was a little Girl -- They give us Presents most -- you know -- When we are new -- and small. I kept it in my Hand -- I never put it down -- I did not dare to eat -- or sleep -- For fear it would be gone -- I heard such words as Rich -- When hurrying to school -- From lips at Corners of the Streets -- And wrestled with a smile. Rich! 'Twas Myself -- was rich -- To take the name of Gold -- And Gold to own -- in solid Bars -- The Difference -- made me bold. ^E00:59:54 ^B01:00:04 >> Linda Bercrost [assumed spelling]. 456. A Prison gets to be a friend -- Between its Ponderous face And Ours -- a Kinsmanship express -- And in its narrow Eyes -- We come to look with gratitude For the appointed Beam It deal us -- stated as our food -- And hungered for -- the same -- We learn to know the Planks -- That answer to Our feet -- So miserable a sound -- at first -- Nor even now -- so sweet -- As splashing in the Pools -- When Memory was a Boy -- But a Demurer Circuit -- A Geometric Joy -- The Posture of the Key That interrupt the Day To Our Endeavor -- Not so real The Cheek of Liberty -- As this Phantasm Steel -- Whose features -- Day and Night -- Are present to us -- as Our Own -- And as escapeless -- quite -- The narrow Round -- the Stint -- The slow exchange of Hope -- For something passiver -- Content Too steep for looking up -- The Liberty we knew Avoided -- like a Dream -- Too wide for any Night but Heaven -- If That -- indeed -- redeem. 457. Nature -- sometimes sears a Sapling -- Sometimes -- scalds a Tree -- Her Green People recollect it When they do not die -- Fainter Leaves -- to Further Seasons -- Dumbly testify -- We -- who have the Souls -- Die oftener -- Not so vitally. 458. She dealt her pretty words like Blades -- How glittering they shone -- And every One unbarred a Nerve Or wantoned with a Bone -- She never deemed -- she hurt -- That -- is not Steel's Affair -- A vulgar grimace in the Flesh -- How ill the Creatures bear -- To Ache is human -- not polite -- The Film upon the eye Mortality's old Custom -- Just locking up -- to Die. 459. Why do I love You, Sir? Because -- The Wind does not require the Grass To answer -- Wherefore when He pass She cannot keep Her place. Because He knows -- and Do not You -- And We know not -- Enough for Us The Wisdom it be so -- . The Lightning - never asked an Eye Wherefore it shut -- when He was by -- Because He knows it cannot speak -- And reasons not contained -- -- Of Talk -- There be -- preferred by Daintier Folk -- The Sunrise -- Sir -- compelleth Me -- Because He's Sunrise -- and I see -- Therefore -- Then -- I love Thee. 460. The Himmaleh was known to stoop Unto the Daisy low -- Transported with Compassion That such a Doll should grow Where Tent by Tent -- Her Universe Hangs out its Flags of Snow. 461. We Cover Thee -- Sweet Face -- Not that We tire of Thee -- But that Thyself fatigue of Us -- Remember -- as Thou go -- We follow Thee until Thou notice Us -- no more -- And then -- reluctant -- turn away To Con Thee o'er and o'er -- And blame the scanty love We were Content to show -- Augmented -- Sweet -- a Hundred fold -- If Thou would'st take it -- now. 462. Of Being is a Bird And likest to the Down An Easy Breeze do put afloat The General Heavens -- open -- It soars -- and shifts - and whirls -- And measures with the Clouds In easy -- even - dazzling pace -- No different the Birds -- Except a Wake of Music Accompany their feet -- As did the Down emit a Tune -- For Ecstasy -- of it. ^E01:05:40 ^B01:05:53 >> Jennifer Reek [assumed spelling]. 463. A long -- long Sleep -- A famous -- Sleep -- That makes no show for Morn -- By Stretch of Limb -- or stir of Lid -- An independent One -- Was ever idleness like This? Upon a Bank of Stone To bask the Centuries away -- Nor once look up -- for Noon? 464. Without this -- there is nought -- All other Riches be As is the Twitter of a Bird -- Heard opposite the Sea -- I could not care -- to gain A lesser than the Whole -- For did not this include themself -- As Seams -- include the Ball? Or wished a way might be My Heart to subdivide -- 'Twould magnify -- the Gratitude -- And not reduce -- the Gold. 465. The name -- of it -- is Autumn -- The hue -- of it -- is Blood -- An Artery -- upon the Hill -- A Vein -- along the Road -- Great Globules -- in the Alleys -- And Oh, the Shower of Stain -- When Winds -- upset the Basin -- And spill the Scarlet Rain -- It sprinkles Bonnets -- far below -- It gathers ruddy Pools -- Then -- eddies like a Rose -- away -- Upon Vermilion Wheels. 466. I dwell in Possibility -- A fairer House than Prose -- More numerous of Windows -- Superior -- for Doors -- Of Chambers as the Cedars -- Impregnable of Eye -- And for an Everlasting Roof The Gambrels of the Sky -- Of Visitors -- the fairest -- For Occupation -- This -- The spreading wide my narrow Hands To gather Paradise 467. A Solemn thing within the Soul To feel itself get ripe -- And golden hang -- while farther up -- The Maker's Ladders stop -- And in the Orchard far below -- You hear a Being -- drop -- A Wonderful -- to feel the Sun Still toiling at the Cheek You thought was finished -- Cool of eye, and critical of Work -- He shifts the stem -- a little --To give your Core -- a look -- But solemnest -- to know Your chance in Harvest moves A little nearer -- Every Sun The Single -- to some lives. 468. Whole Gulfs -- of Red, and Fleets -- of Red -- And Crews -- of solid Blood -- Did place upon the West -- Tonight -- As 'twere specific Ground -- And They -- appointed Creatures -- In Authorized Arrays -- Due -- promptly -- as a Drama -- That bows -- and disappears. 469. My Garden -- like the Beach -- Denotes there be -- a Sea -- That's Summer -- Such as These -- the Pearls She fetches -- such as Me. 470. That first Day, when you praised Me, Sweet, And said that I was strong -- And could be mighty, if I liked -- That Day -- the Days among -- Glows Central -- like a Jewel Between Diverging Golds -- The Minor One -- that gleamed behind -- And Vaster -- of the World's. ^E01:10:11 ^B01:10:32 >> Steve Logan. Number 471. To make One's Toilette -- after Death Has made the Toilette cool Of only Taste we cared to please Is difficult, and still -- That's easier -- than Braid the Hair -- And make the Bodice gay -- When eyes that fondled it are wrenched By Decalogues -- away. Number 472. Tis good -- the looking back on Grief -- To re-endure a Day -- We thought the Mighty Funeral -- Of All Conceived Joy -- To recollect how Busy Grass Did meddle -- one by one -- Till all the Grief with Summer -- waved And none could see the stone. And though the Woe you have Today Be larger -- As the Sea Exceeds its Unremembered Drop -- They're Water -- equally. Number 473. I was the slightest in the House -- I took the smallest Room -- At night, my little Lamp, and Book -- And one Geranium -- So stationed I could catch the Mint That never ceased to fall -- And just my Basket -- Let me think -- I'm sure -- That this was all -- I never spoke -- unless addressed -- And then, 'twas brief and low -- I could not bear to live -- aloud --The Racket shamed me so. And if it had not been so far and anyone I knew were going -- I had often thought how noteless I could die. 474. You love the Lord -- you cannot see -- You write Him -- every day -- A little note -- when you awake --And further in the Day. An Ample Letter -- How you miss -- And would delight to see -- But then His House -- is but a Step -- And Mine's -- in Heaven -- You see. Number 475. Myself was formed -- a Carpenter -- An unpretending time My Plane -- and I, together wrought Before a Builder came -- To measure our attainments -- Had we the Art of Boards Sufficiently developed -- He'd hire us At Halves -- My Tools took Human -- Faces --The Bench, where we had toiled -- Against the Man -- persuaded -- We -- Temples build -- I said. Number 476. We pray -- to Heaven -- We prate -- of Heaven -- Relate -- when Neighbors die -- At what o'clock to heaven -- they fled -- Who saw them -- Wherefore fly? Is Heaven a Place -- a Sky -- a Tree? Location's narrow way is for Ourselves -- Unto the Dead There's no Geography -- But State -- Endowal -- Focus -- Where -- Omnipresence -- fly? ^E01:14:58 ^B01:15:17 >> Hello, I'm Elizabeth McCurion [assumed spelling]. 477. He fumbles at your Soul As Players at the Keys Before they drop full Music on --He stuns you by degrees -- Prepares your brittle Nature For the Ethereal Blow By fainter Hammers -- further heard -- Then nearer -- Then so slow Your Breath has time to straighten -- Your Brain -- to bubble Cool -- Deals -- One -- imperial -- Thunderbolt -- That scalps your naked Soul -- When Winds hold Forests in the Paws -- The Universe -- is still. 478. Just Once! Oh least Request! Could Adamant refuse So small a Grace So scanty put, Such agonizing terms? Would not a God of Flint Be conscious of a sigh As down His Heaven dropt remote Just Once Sweet Deity? 479. Because I could not stop for Death -- He kindly stopped for me -- The Carriage held but just Ourselves -- And Immortality. We slowly drove -- He knew no haste, And I had put away My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility -- We passed the School, where Children strove At recess -- in the ring -- We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain -- We passed the Setting Sun -- Or rather -- He passed Us -- The Dews drew quivering and chill -- For only Gossamer, my Gown -- My Tippet -- only Tulle -- We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground -- The Roof was scarcely visible -- The Cornice -- in the Ground -- Since then -- 'tis centuries-- and yet Feels shorter than the Day I first surmised the Horses' Heads Were toward Eternity. 480. He fought like those Who nought to lose -- Bestowed Himself to Balls As One who for a further Life Had not a further Use -- Invited Death -- with bold contempt -- attempt -- But Death was Coy of Him As Other Men, were Coy of Death -- To Him -- to live -- was Doom -- His Comrades, shifted like the Flakes When Gusts reverse the Snow -- But He -- was left alive Because Of Greediness to die. 481. Fame of Myself, to justify, All other Plaudit be Superfluous -- An Incense Beyond Necessity -- Fame of Myself to lack -- Although My Name be else Supreme -- This were an Honor honorless -- A futile Diadem. 482. Wolfe demanded during dying Which obtain the Day? General, the British -- Easy Answered Wolfe to die Montcalm, his opposing Spirit Rendered with a smile Sweet said he my own Surrender Liberty's beguile. 483. Most she touched me by her muteness -- Most she won me by the way She presented her small figure -- Plea itself -- for Charity -- Were a Crumb my whole possession -- Were there famine in the land -- Were it my resource from starving -- Could I such a plea withstand -- Not upon her knee to thank me Sank this Beggar from the Sky -- But the Crumb partook -- departed -- And returned On High -- I supposed -- when sudden Such a Praise began 'Twas as Space sat singing To herself -- and men -- 'Twas the Winged Beggar -- Afterward I learned To her Benefactor Making Gratitude. 484. From Blank to Blank -- A Threadless Way I pushed Mechanic feet -- To stop -- or perish -- or advance -- Alike indifferent -- If end I gained It ends beyond Indefinite disclosed -- I shut my eyes -- and groped as well 'Twas lighter -- to be Blind. 485. The Whole of it came not at once -- 'Twas Murder by degrees -- A Thrust -- and then for Life a chance -- The Bliss to cauterize -- The Cat reprieves the Mouse She eases from her teeth Just long enough for Hope to tease -- Then mashes it to death -- 'Tis Life's award -- to die -- Contenteder if once -- Than dying half -- then rallying For consciouser Eclipse. Thank you. ^E01:20:43 ^B01:20:53 >> Holly Gruntner. 486. He told a homely tale And spotted it with tears -- Upon his infant face was set The Cicatrice of years -- All crumpled was the cheek No other kiss had known Than flake of snow, divided with The Redbreast of the Barn -- If Mother -- in the Grave -- Or Father -- of the Sea -- Or Father in the Firmament -- Or Brethren, had he -- If Commonwealth below, Or Commonwealth above Have missed a Barefoot Citizen -- I've ransomed it -- alive. 487. Presentiment -- is that long Shadow -- on the Lawn -- Indicative that Suns go down -- The Notice to the startled Grass That Darkness -- is about to pass. 488. You constituted Time -- I deemed Eternity A Revelation of Yourself -- 'Twas therefore Deity The Absolute -- removed The Relative away -- That I unto Himself adjust My slow idolatry. 489. My Faith is larger than the Hills -- So when the Hills decay -- My Faith must take the Purple Wheel To show the Sun the way -- 'Tis first He steps upon the Vane -- And then -- upon the Hill -- And then abroad the World He go To do His Golden Will -- And if His Yellow feet should miss -- The Bird would not arise -- The Flowers would slumber on their Stems -- No Bells have Paradise -- How dare I, therefore, stint a faith On which so vast depends -- Lest Firmament should fail for me -- The Rivet in the Bands. 490. Rest at Night The Sun from shining, Nature -- and some Men -- Rest at Noon -- some Men -- While Nature And the Sun -- go on. 491. The World -- feels Dusty When We stop to Die - We want the Dew -- then -- Honors -- taste dry -- Flags -- vex a Dying face -- But the least Fan Stirred by a friend's Hand -- Cools -- like the Rain -- Mine be the Ministry When thy Thirst comes -- Dews of Thessaly, to fetch. And Hybla Balms. 492. To offer brave assistance To Lives that stand alone -- When One has failed to stop them -- Is Human -- but Divine To lend an Ample Sinew Unto a Nameless Man -- Whose Homely Benediction No other -- stopped to earn. 493. When I hoped, I recollect Just the place I stood -- At a Window facing West -- Roughest Air -- was good -- Not a Sleet could bite me -- Not a frost could cool -- Hope it was that kept me warm -- Not Merino shawl -- When I feared -- I recollect Just the Day it was -- Worlds were lying out to Sun -- Yet how Nature froze -- Icicles upon my soul Prickled Blue and Cool -- Bird went praising everywhere -- Only Me -- was still -- And the Day that I despaired -- This -- if I forget Nature will -- that it be Night After Sun has set -- Darkness intersect her face -- And put out her eye -- Nature hesitates -- before Memory and I. 494. The Wind didn't come from the Orchard -- today -- Further than that -- Nor stop to play with the Hay -- Nor threaten a Hat -- He's a transitive fellow -- very -- Rely on that -- If He leave a Bur at the door We know He has climbed a Fir -- But the Fir is Where -- Declare -- Were you ever there? If He bring Odors of Clovers -- And that is His business -- not Ours -- That He has been with the Mowers -- Whetting away the Hours To sweet pauses of Hay -- His Way -- of a June Day -- If He fling Sand, and Pebble -- Little Boys Hats -- and Stubble -- With an occasional Steeple -- And a hoarse Get out of the way, I say, Who'd be the fool to stay? Would you -- Say -- Would you be the fool to stay? 495. ^E01:25:29 ^B01:25:41 >> Mary Beth Wise. The Day undressed -- Herself -- Her Garter -- was of Gold -- Her Petticoat -- of Purple plain -- Her Dimities -- of old Exactly -- as the World -- And yet the newest Star -- Enrolled upon the Hemisphere Be wrinkled -- much as Her -- Too near to God -- to pray -- Too near to Heaven -- to fear -- The Lady of the Occident Retired without a care -- Her Candle so expire The flickering be seen On Ball of Mast in Bosporus -- And Done -- and Dome -- and Window Pane. 496. The Beggar Lad -- dies early -- It's Somewhat in the Cold -- And Somewhat in the Trudging feet -- And haply, in the World -- The Cruel -- smiling -- bowing World -- That took its Cambric Way -- Nor heard the timid cry for Bread -- Sweet Lady -- Charity -- Among Redeemed Children If Trudging feet may stand The Barefoot time forgotten -- so -- The Sleet -- the bitter Wind -- The Childish Hands that teased for Pence Lifted adoring -- them -- To Him whom never Ragged -- Coat Did supplicate in vain. 497. One and One -- are One -- Two -- be finished using -- Well enough for Schools -- But for Minor Choosing -- Life -- just -- or Death -- Or the Everlasting -- More -- would be too vast For the Soul's Comprising. 498. I lived on Dread -- To Those who know The Stimulus there is In Danger -- Other impetus Is numb -- and Vitalless -- As 'twere a Spur -- upon the Soul -- A Fear will urge it where To go without the Sceptre's aid Were Challenging Despair. 499. Best Gains -- must have the Losses' Test -- To constitute them -- Gains. 500. Not Revelation -- 'tis -- that waits, But our unfurnished eyes. 501. The Robin is the One That interrupt the Morn With hurried -- few -- express Reports When March is scarcely on -- The Robin is the One That overflow the Noon With her cherubic quantity -- An April but begun -- The Robin is the One That speechless from her Nest Submit that Home -- and Certainty And Sanctity, are best. 502. Life is death we're lengthy at -- Death the hinge to life. 503. We'll pass without the parting So to spare Certificate of Absence -- Deeming where I left Her I could find Her If I tried -- This way, I keep from missing Those that died. 504. The Birds begun at Four o'clock -- Their period for Dawn -- A Music numerous as space -- But neighboring as Noon -- I could not count their Force -- Their Numbers did expend As Brook by Brook bestows itself To multiply the Pond. The listener was not -- Except occasional man -- In homely industry arrayed -- To overtake the Morn -- Nor was it for applause -- That I could ascertain -- But independent Ecstasy Of Universe and Men -- By Six, the Flood had done -- No Tumult there had been Of Dressing, or Departure -- Yet the Band was gone -- The Sun engrossed the East -- The Day resumed the World -- The Miracle that introduced Forgotten, as fulfilled. 505. They have a little Odor -- that to me Is metre -- nay -- 'tis melody -- And spiciest at fading -- indicate -- A Habit -- of a Laureate. 506. Light is insufficient [sic] to itself -- If Others want to see It can be had on Window Panes Some Hours in the Day. But not for Compensation -- It holds as large a Glow To Squirrel in the Himmaleh Precisely, as to you. ^E01:30:35 ^B01:30:49 >> Mary Sweade [assumed spelling]. Like Mighty Foot Lights -- burned the Red At Bases of the Trees -- The far Theatricals of Day Exhibiting -- to These -- 'Twas Universe -- that did applaud -- While Chiefest -- of the Crowd -- Enabled by his Royal Dress -- Myself distinguished God. 508. A Pit -- but Heaven over it -- And Heaven beside, and Heaven abroad, And yet a Pit -- With Heaven over it. To stir would be to slip -- To look would be to drop -- To dream -- to sap the Prop That holds my chances up. Ah! Pit! With Heaven over it! The depth is all my thought -- I dare not ask my feet -- 'Twould start us where we sit So straight you'd scarce suspect It was a Pit -- with fathoms under it -- Its Circuit just the same. Seed -- summer -- tomb -- Whose Doom to whom would start them. We could tremble, but since we got a bomb, and held in our bosom, may hold it, it is calm. 509. A curious Cloud surprised the Sky, 'Twas like a sheet with Horns; The sheet was Blue -- The Antlers Gray -- It almost touched the lawns. So low it leaned and then statelier drew -- And trailed like robes away, A Queen adown a satin aisle Had not the majesty. 510. Of Brussels -- it was not -- Of Kidderminster? Nay -- The Winds did buy it of the Woods -- They -- sold it unto me It was a gentle price -- The poorest -- could afford -- It was within the frugal purse Of Beggar -- or of Bird -- Of small and spicy Yards -- In hue -- a mellow Dun -- Of Sunshine -- and of Sere -- Composed -- But, principally -- of Sun -- The Wind -- unrolled it fast -- And spread it on the Ground -- Upholsterer of the Pines -- is He -- Upholsterer -- of the Pond. 511. He found my Being -- set it up -- Adjusted it to place -- Then carved his name -- upon it -- And bade it to the East Be faithful -- in his absence -- And he would come again -- With Equipage of Amber -- That time -- to take it Home. 512. Unto my Books -- so good to turn -- Far ends of tired Days -- It half endears the Abstinence -- And Pain -- is missed -- in Praise -- As Flavors -- cheer Retarded Guests With Banquettings to be -- So Spices -- stimulate the time 'Till my small Liberty [sic] -- It may be Wilderness -- without -- Far feet of failing Men -- But Holiday -- excludes the night -- And it is Bells -- within -- I thank these Kinsmen of the Shelf -- Their Countenances Kid Enamored the Prospective -- And satisfy -- obtained. 513. The Spider holds a Silver Ball In unperceived Hands -- And dancing softly to Himself His Yarn of Pearl -- unwinds -- He plies it from Nought to Nought -- In unsubstantial Trade -- Supplants our Tapestries with His -- In half the period -- An Hour to rear supreme His Continent of Light -- Then dangle from the Housewife's Broom -- His Boundaries -- forgot. ^E01:35:09 ^B01:35:26 >> My name is F.T. Clark. 513 -- 514. Sorry. Three times -- we parted -- Breath -- and I -- Three times -- He would not go -- But strove to stir the lifeless Fan The Waters -- strove to stay. Three Times -- the Billows tossed me up -- Then caught me -- like a Ball -- Then made Blue faces in my face -- And pushed away a sail That crawled Leagues off -- I liked to see -- For thinking -- while I die -- How pleasant to behold a Thing Where Human faces -- be -- The Waves grew sleepy -- Breath -- did not -- The Winds -- like Children -- lulled -- Then Sunrise kissed my Chrysalis -- And I stood up -- and lived. 515. There is a pain -- so utter -- It swallows substance up -- Then covers the Abyss in Trance -- So Memory can step Around -- across -- upon it -- As one within a Swoon -- Goes safely -- where an open eye -- Would drop Him -- Bone by Bone. 516. It troubled me as once I was -- For I was once a Child -- Concluding how an Atom -- fell -- And yet the Heavens -- held -- The Heavens weighed the most -- by far -- Yet Blue -- and solid -- stood -- Without a Bolt -- that I could prove -- Would Giants -- understand? Life set me larger -- problems -- Some I shall keep -- to solve 'Till Algebra is easier -- Or simpler proved -- above -- Then -- too -- be comprehended -- What sorer -- puzzled me -- Why Heaven did not break away -- And tumble -- Blue -- on me. 517. A still -- Volcano -- Life -- That flickered in the night -- When it was dark enough to do Without erasing sight -- A quiet -- Earthquake Style -- Too subtle to suspect By natures this side Naples -- The North cannot detect The Solemn -- Torrid -- Symbol -- The lips that never lie -- Whose hissing Corals part -- and shut -- And Cities -- ooze away. 517. When I was small, a Woman died -- Today -- her Only Boy Went up from the Potomac -- His face all Victory To look at her -- How slowly The Seasons must have turned Till Bullets clipt an Angle And He passed quickly round -- If pride shall be in Paradise -- Ourself cannot decide -- Of their imperial Conduct -- No person testified -- But, proud in Apparition -- That Woman and her Boy Pass back and forth, before my Brain As even in the sky -- I'm confident that Bravoes -- Perpetual break abroad For Braveries, remote as this In yonder [sic] Maryland. ^M01:39:47 519. This is my letter to the World That never wrote to Me -- The simple News that Nature told -- With tender Majesty Her Message is committed To Hands I cannot see -- For love of Her -- Sweet -- countrymen -- Judge tenderly -- of Me. 520. God made a little Gentian -- It tried -- to be a Rose -- And failed -- and all the Summer laughed -- But just before the Snows There rose a Purple Creature -- That ravished all the Hill -- And Summer hid her Forehead -- And Mockery -- was still -- The Frosts were her condition -- The Tyrian would not come Until the North -- invoke it -- Creator -- Shall I -- bloom? 521. It always felt to me -- a wrong To that Old Moses -- done -- To let him see -- the Canaan -- Without the entering -- And tho' in soberer moments -- No Moses there can be I'm satisfied -- the Romance In point of injury -- Surpasses sharper stated -- Of Stephen -- or of Paul -- For these -- were only put to death -- While God's adroiter will On Moses -- seemed to fasten With tantalizing Play As Boy -- should deal with lesser Boy -- To prove ability. The fault -- was doubtless Israel's -- Myself -- had banned the Tribes -- And ushered Grand Old Moses In Pentateuchal Robes Upon the Broad Possession 'Twas little -- he should see -- Old Man on Nebo! Late as this -- My justice bleeds -- for Thee! ^E01:42:04 ^B01:42:14 >> Emily [inaudible]. 522. I tie my Hat -- I crease my Shawl -- Life's little duties do -- precisely -- As the very least Were infinite -- to me -- I put new Blossoms in the Glass -- And throw the old -- away -- I push a petal from my Gown That anchored there -- I weigh The time 'twill be till six o'clock I have so much to do -- And yet -- Existence -- some way back -- Stopped -- struck -- my ticking -- through -- We cannot put Ourself away As a completed Man Or Woman -- When the Errand's done We came to Flesh -- upon -- There may be -- Miles on Miles of Nought -- Of Action -- sicker far -- To simulate -- is stinging work -- To cover what we are From Science -- and from Surgery -- Too Telescopic Eyes To bear on us unshaded -- For their -- sake -- not for Ours -- Therefore -- we do life's labor -- Though life's Reward -- be done -- With scrupulous exactness -- To hold our Senses -- on. 523. The Trees like Tassels -- hit -- and swung -- There seemed to rise a Tune From Miniature Creatures Accompanying the Sun -- Far Psalteries of Summer -- Enamoring the Ear They never yet did satisfy -- Remotest -- when most fair The Sun shone whole at intervals -- Then Half -- then utter hid -- As if Himself were optional And had Estates of Cloud Sufficient to enfold Him Eternally from view -- Except it were a whim of His To let the Orchards grow -- A Bird sat careless on the fence -- Once gossipped in the Lane On silver matters charmed a Snake Just winding round a Stone -- Bright Flowers slit a Calyx And soared upon a Stem Like Hindering Flags -- Sweet hoisted -- With Spices -- in the Hem -- 'Twas more -- I cannot mention -- How mean -- to those that see -- Vandyke's Delineation Of Nature's -- Summer Day! Oh, 524. It feels a shame to be Alive -- When Men so brave -- are dead -- One envies the Distinguished Dust -- Permitted -- such a Head -- The Stone -- that tells defending Whom This Spartan put away What little of Him we -- possessed In Pawn for Liberty -- The price is great -- Sublimely paid -- Do we deserve -- a Thing -- That lives -- like Dollars -- must be piled Before we may obtain? Are we that wait -- sufficient worth -- That such Enormous Pearl As life -- dissolved be -- for Us -- In Battle's -- horrid Bowl? It may be -- a Renown to live -- I think the Man who die -- Those unsustained -- Saviors -- Present Divinity. ^E01:45:37 ^B01:45:50 >> Sandra Beasley [assumed spelling]. 525. My period had come for Prayer -- No other Art -- would do -- My Tactics missed a rudiment -- Creator -- Was it you? God grows above -- so those who pray Horizons -- must ascend -- And so I stepped upon the North To see this Curious Friend -- His House was not -- no sign had He -- By Chimney -- nor by Door Could I infer his Residence -- Vast Prairies of Air Unbroken by a Settler -- Were all that I could see -- Infinitude -- Had'st Thou no Face That I might look on Thee? The Silence condescended -- Creation stopped -- for Me -- But awed beyond my errand -- I worshipped -- did not "pray". 526. I pay -- in Satin Cash -- You did not state -- your price -- A Petal, for a Paragraph It near as I can guess. 527. One Anguish -- in a Crowd -- A Minor thing -- it sounds -- And yet, unto the single Doe Attempted of the Hounds 'Tis Terror as consummate As Legions of Alarm Did leap, full flanked, upon the Host -- 'Tis Units -- make the Swarm -- A Small Leech -- on the Vitals -- The sliver, in the Lung -- The Bung out -- of an Artery -- Are scarce accounted -- Harms -- Yet mighty -- by relation To that Repealless thing -- A Being -- impotent to end -- When once it has begun. 528. 'Tis not that Dying hurts us so -- 'Tis Living -- hurts us more -- But Dying -- is a different way -- A Kind behind the Door -- The Southern Custom -- of the Bird -- That ere the Frosts are due -- Accepts a better Latitude -- We -- are the Birds -- that stay. The Shrivers round Farmers' doors -- For whose reluctant Crumb -- We stipulate -- till pitying Snows Persuade our Feathers Home. Done. Okay. 529. A Dying Tiger -- moaned for Drink -- I hunted all the Sand -- I caught the Dripping of a Rock And bore it in my Hand -- His Mighty Balls -- in death were thick -- But searching -- I could see A Vision on the Retina Of Water -- and of me -- 'Twas not my blame -- who sped too slow -- 'Twas not his blame -- who died While I was reaching him -- But 'twas -- the fact that He was dead. 530. He gave away his Life -- To Us -- Gigantic Sum -- A trifle -- in his own esteem -- But magnified -- by Fame -- Until it burst the Hearts That fancied they could hold -- When swift it slipped its limit -- And on the Heavens -- unrolled -- 'Tis Ours -- to wince -- and weep -- And wonder -- and decay By Blossoms gradual process -- He chose -- Maturity -- But quickening -- as we sowed -- Just obviated Bud -- And when We turned to note the Growth -- Broke -- perfect -- from the Pod. ^M01:50:07 531. We learned the Whole of Love -- The Alphabet -- the Words -- A Chapter -- then the mighty Book -- Then -- Revelation closed -- But in Each Other's eyes An Ignorance beheld -- Diviner than the Childhood's -- And each to each, a Child -- Attempted to expound What Neither -- understood -- Alas, that Wisdom is so large -- And Truth -- so manifold! ^E01:50:43 ^B01:50:55 >> The Winters are so short -- I'm hardly justified In sending all the Birds away -- And moving into Pod -- Myself -- for scarcely settled -- The Phoebes have begun -- And then -- it's time to strike my Tent -- And open House -- again -- It's mostly, interruptions -- My Summer -- is despoiled -- Because there was a Winter -- once -- And all the Cattle -- starved -- And so there was a Deluge -- And swept the World away -- But Ararat's a Legend -- now -- And no one credits Noah. 533. I reckon -- when I count at all -- First -- Poets -- Then the Sun -- Then Summer -- Then the Heaven of God -- And then -- the List is done -- But, looking back -- the First so seems To Comprehend the Whole -- The Others look a needless Show -- So I write -- Poets -- All -- Their Summer -- lasts a Solid Year -- They can afford a Sun The East -- would deem extravagant -- And if the Further Heaven -- Be Beautiful as they prepare For Those who worship Them -- It is too difficult a Grace -- To justify the Dream. 534. How many Flowers fail in Wood -- Or perish from the Hill -- Without the privilege to know That they are Beautiful -- How many cast a nameless Pod Upon the nearest Breeze -- Unconscious of the Scarlet Freight -- It bear to Other Eyes. 535. It might be lonelier Without the Loneliness -- I'm so accustomed to my Fate -- Perhaps the Other -- Peace -- Would interrupt the Dark -- And crowd the little Room -- Too scant -- by Cubits -- to contain The Sacrament -- of Him -- I am not used to Hope -- It might intrude upon -- Its sweet parade -- blaspheme the place -- Ordained to Suffering -- It might be easier To fail -- with Land in Sight -- Than gain -- My Blue Peninsula -- To perish -- of Delight. 536. Some -- Work for Immortality -- The Chiefer part, for Time -- He -- Compensates -- immediately -- The former -- Checks -- on Fame -- Slow Gold -- but Everlasting -- The Bullion of Today -- Contrasted with the Currency Of Immortality -- A Beggar -- Here and There -- Is gifted to discern Beyond the Broker's insight -- One's -- Money -- One's -- the Mine. 537. I could die -- to know -- 'Tis a trifling knowledge -- News-Boys salute the Door -- Carts -- joggle by -- Morning's bold face -- stares in the window -- Were but mine -- the Charter of the least Fly -- Houses hunch the House With their Brick Shoulders -- Coals -- from a Rolling Load -- rattle -- how -- near -- To the very Square -- His foot is passing -- Possibly, this moment -- While I -- dream -- Here. 538. Must be a Woe -- A loss or so -- To bend the eye Best Beauty's way -- But -- once aslant It notes Delight As difficult As Stalactite A Common Bliss Were had for less -- The price -- is Even as the Grace -- Our lord -- thought no Extravagance To pay -- a Cross. Thank you. ^E01:55:25 ^B01:55:32 >> Neclar Dundee [assumed spelling]. 539. Delight -- becomes pictorial -- When viewed through Pain -- More fair -- because impossible Than any gain -- The Mountain -- at a given distance -- In Amber -- lies -- Approached -- the Amber flits -- a little -- And That's -- the Skies. 540. If What we could -- were what we would -- Criterion -- be small -- It is the Ultimate of Talk -- The importance to Tell. 541. The Test of Love -- is Death -- Our Lord -- "so loved" -- it saith -- What Largest Lover -- hath Another -- doth -- If smaller Patience -- be -- Through less Infinity -- If Bravo, sometimes swerve -- Through fainter Nerve -- Accept its Most -- And overlook -- the Dust -- Last -- Least -- The Cross' -- Request. 542. For largest Woman's Heart I knew -- 'Tis little I can do -- And yet the largest Woman's Heart Could hold an Arrow -- too -- And so, instructed by my own, I tenderer, turn Me to. 543. Unit, like Death, for Whom? True, like the Tomb, Who tells no secret Told to Him -- The Grave is strict -- Tickets admit Just two -- the Bearer -- And the Borne -- And seat -- just One -- The Living -- tell -- The Dying -- but a Syllable -- The Coy Dead -- None -- No Chatter -- here -- no tea -- So Babbler, and Bohea -- stay there -- But Gravity -- and Expectations -- and Fear -- A tremor just, that All not sure. 544. "Heaven" has different Signs -- to me -- Sometimes, I think that Noon Is but a symbol of the Place -- And when again, at Dawn, A mighty look runs round the World And settles in the Hills -- An Awe if it should be like that Upon the Ignorance steals -- The Orchard, when the Sun is on -- The Triumph of the Birds When they together Victory make -- Some Carnivals of Clouds -- The Rapture of a finished Day -- Returning to the West -- All these -- remind us of the place That Men call "paradise" -- Itself be fairer -- we suppose -- But how Ourself, shall be Adorned, for a Superior Grace -- Not yet, our eyes can see. 545. They dropped like Flakes -- They dropped like Stars -- Like Petals from a Rose -- When suddenly across the June A wind with fingers -- goes -- They perished in the Seamless Grass -- No eye could find the place -- But God can summon every face Of his Repealless -- List. ^M01:59:58 546. I prayed, at first, a little Girl, Because they told me to -- But stopped, when qualified to guess How prayer would feel -- to me -- If I believed God looked around, Each time my Childish eye Fixed full, and steady, on his own In Childish honesty -- And told him what I would like, today, And parts of his far plan That baffled me -- The mingled side Of his Divinity -- And often since, in Danger, I count the force it would be To have a God so strong as that To hold my life for me Till I could take the Balance That tips so frequent, now, It takes me all the while to poise -- And then -- it doesn't stay. 547. ^E02:01:10 ^B02:01:23 >> Andrew Squatera [assumed spelling]. 547. There's been a Death, in the Opposite House, As lately as Today -- I know it, by the numb look Such Houses have -- alway -- The Neighbors rustle in and out -- The Doctor -- drives away -- A Window opens like a Pod -- Abrupt -- mechanically -- Somebody flings a Mattress out -- The Children hurry by -- They wonder if it died -- on that -- I used to -- when a Boy -- The Minister -- goes stiffly in -- As if the House were His -- And He owned all the Mourners -- now -- And little Boys -- besides -- And then the Milliner -- and the Man Of the Appalling Trade -- To take the measure of the House -- There'll be that Dark Parade -- Of Tassels -- and of Coaches -- soon -- It's easy as a Sign -- The Intuition of the News -- In just a Country Town. The Black Berry -- wears a Thorn in his side -- But no Man heard Him cry -- He offers His Berry, just the same To Partridge -- and to Boy -- He sometimes holds upon the Fence -- Or struggles to a Tree -- Or clasps a Rock, with both His Hands -- But not for Sympathy -- We -- tell a Hurt -- to cool it -- This Mourner -- to the Sky A little further reaches -- instead -- Brave Black Berry. 549. The One that could repeat the Summer day -- Were greater than itself -- though He Minutest of Mankind should be -- And He -- could reproduce the Sun -- At period of going down -- The Lingering -- and the Stain -- I mean -- When Orient have been outgrown -- And Occident -- become Unknown -- His Name -- remain. 550. I measure every Grief I meet With narrow, probing, Eyes -- I wonder if It weighs like Mine -- Or has an Easier size. I wonder if They bore it long -- Or did it just begin -- I could not tell the Date of Mine -- It feels so old a pain -- I wonder if it hurts to live -- And if They have to try -- And whether -- could They choose between -- It would not be -- to die -- I note that Some -- gone patient long -- At length, renew their smile -- An imitation of a Light That has so little Oil -- I wonder if when Years have piled -- Some Thousands -- on the Harm -- That hurt them early -- such a lapse Could give them any Balm -- Or would they go on aching still Through Centuries of Nerve -- Enlightened to a larger Pain - In Contrast with the Love -- The Grieved -- are many -- I am told -- There is the various Cause -- Death -- is but one -- and comes but once -- And only nails the eyes -- There's Grief of Want -- and Grief of Cold -- A sort they call "Despair" -- There's Banishment from native Eyes -- In sight of Native Air -- And though I may not guess the kind -- Correctly -- yet to me A piercing Comfort it affords In passing Calvary -- To note the fashions -- of the Cross -- And how they're mostly worn -- Still fascinated to presume That Some -- are like My Own. 551. Conjecturing a Climate Of unsuspended Suns -- Adds poignancy to Winter -- The Shivering Fancy turns To a fictitious Country To palliate a Cold -- Not obviated of Degree -- Nor erased -- of Latitude. 552. 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. 553. 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. ^E02:05:36 ^B02:05:53 >> [Inaudible]. 553. 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. 554. 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 Veil Unto the Lady's face -- But every Mesh -- a Citadel -- And Dragons -- in the Crease. 555. A House upon the Height -- That Wagon never reached -- No Dead, were ever carried down -- No Peddler's Cart -- approached -- Whose Chimney never smoked -- Whose Windows -- Night and Morn -- Caught Sunrise first -- and Sunset -- last -- Then -- held an Empty Pane -- Whose fate -- Conjecture knew -- No other neighbor -- did -- And what it was -- we never lisped -- Because He -- never told. 556. It's coming -- the postponeless Creature -- It gains the Block -- and now -- it gains the Door -- Chooses its 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. 557. I send Two Sunsets -- Day and I -- in competition ran -- I finished Two -- and several Stars -- While He -- was making One -- His own was ampler -- but as I Was saying to a friend -- Mine -- is the more convenient To Carry in the Hand. 558. 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. 559. 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 Ecstasy -- and Dell. Thank you. ^E02:10:16 ^B02:10:48 >> Juliette Burrows [assumed spelling]. 560. 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. 561. Trust in the Unexpected -- By this -- was William Kidd Persuaded of the Buried Gold -- As One had testified -- Through this -- the old Philosopher -- His Talismanic Stone Discerned -- still withholden To effort undivine -- 'Twas this -- allured Columbus -- When Genoa -- withdrew Before an Apparition Baptized America -- The Same -- afflicted Thomas -- When Deity assured 'Twas better -- the perceiving not -- Provided it believed. 562. '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! 563. The Brain, within its Groove Runs evenly -- and true -- But let a Splinter swerve -- 'Twere easier for You -- To put a Current back -- When Floods have slit the Hills -- And scooped a Turnpike for Themselves -- And trodden out the Mills. 564. She hideth Her the last -- And is the first, to rise -- Her Night doth hardly recompense The Closing of Her eyes -- She doth Her Purple Work -- And putteth Her away In low Apartments in the Sod - As worthily as We. To imitate her life As impotent would be As make of Our imperfect Mints, The Julep -- of the Bee. 565. 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. 566. But little Carmine hath her face -- Of Emerald scant -- her Gown -- Her Beauty -- is the love she doth -- Itself -- exhibit -- Mine. 567. It knew no Medicine -- It was not Sickness -- then -- Nor any need of Surgery -- And therefore -- 'twas not Pain -- It moved away the Cheeks -- A Dimple at a time -- And left the Profile -- plainer -- And in the place of Bloom It left the little Tint That never had a Name -- You've seen it on a Cast's face -- Was Paradise -- to blame -- If momently ajar -- Temerity -- drew near -- And sickened -- ever afterward For Somewhat that it saw? 568. It knew no lapse, nor Diminuation -- But large -- serene -- Burned on -- until through Dissolution -- It failed from Men -- I could not deem these Planetary forces Annulled -- But suffered an Exchange of Territory -- Or World. 569. A precious -- mouldering pleasure -- 'tis -- To meet an Antique Book -- In just the Dress his Century wore -- A privilege -- I think -- His venerable Hand to take -- And warming in our own -- A passage back -- or two -- to make -- To Times when he -- was young -- His quaint opinions -- to inspect -- His thought to ascertain On Themes concern our mutual mind -- The Literature of Man -- What interested Scholars -- most -- What Competitions ran -- When Plato -- was a Certainty -- And Sophocles -- a Man -- When Sappho -- was a living Girl -- And Beatrice wore The Gown that Dante -- deified -- Facts Centuries before He traverses -- familiar -- As One should come to Town -- And tell you all your Dreams -- were true -- He lived -- where Dreams were born -- His presence is Enchantment -- You beg him not to go -- Old Volume shake their Vellum Heads And tantalize -- just so. ^E02:15:57 ^B02:16:09 >> Mark Funkhauser [assumed spelling]. 570. I tried to think a lonelier Thing Than any I had seen -- Some Polar Expiation -- An Omen in the Bone Of Death's tremendous nearness -- I probed Retrieveless things My Duplicate -- to borrow -- A Haggard Comfort springs From the belief that Somewhere -- Within the Clutch of Thought -- There dwells one other Creature Of Heavenly Love -- forgot -- I plucked at our Partition As One should pry the Walls -- Between Himself -- and Horror's Twin -- Within Opposing Cells -- I almost strove to clasp his Hand, Such Luxury -- it grew -- That as Myself -- could pity Him -- Perhaps he -- pitied me. 571. Two butterflies went out at Noon -- And then [inaudible] circumference and caught a ride with him. Then lost themselves and found themselves in [inaudible] to the sun -- 'Till gravitation missed them and both were wrecked in noon. To all surviving butterflies, be this fatuity example and monitor to entomology. 572. The Day came slow -- till Five o'clock -- Then sprang before the Hills Like Hindered Rubies -- or the Light A Sudden Musket -- spills -- The Purple could not keep the East -- The Sunrise shook abroad Like Breadths of Topaz -- packed a Night -- The Lady just unrolled -- The Happy Winds -- their Timbrels took -- The Birds -- in docile Rows Arranged themselves around their Prince The Wind -- is Prince of Those -- The Orchard sparkled like a Jew -- How mighty 'twas -- to be A Guest in this stupendous place -- The Parlor -- of the Day. 573. It was a quiet way -- He asked if I was his -- I made no answer of the Tongue But answer of the Eyes -- And then He bore me on Before this mortal noise With swiftness, as of Chariots And distance, as of Wheels. This World did drop away As Acres from the feet Of one that leaneth from Balloon Upon an Ether street. The Gulf behind was not, The Continents were new -- Eternity it was before Eternity was due. No Seasons were to us -- It was not Night nor Morn -- But Sunrise stopped upon the place And fastened it in Dawn. 574. I know lives, I could miss Without a Misery -- Others -- whose instant's wanting -- Would be Eternity -- The last -- a scanty Number -- 'Twould scarcely fill a Two -- The first -- a Gnat's Horizon Could easily outgrow. 575. I'm saying every day "If I should be a Queen, tomorrow" -- I'd do this way -- And so I deck, a little, If it be, I wake a Bourbon, None on me, bend supercilious -- With "This was she -- Begged in the Market place -- Yesterday." Court is a stately place -- I've heard men say -- So I loop my apron, against the Majesty With bright Pins of Buttercup -- That not too plain -- Rank -- overtake me -- And perch my Tongue On Twigs of singing -- rather high -- But this, might be my brief Term To qualify -- Put from my simple speech all plain word -- Take other accents, as such I heard Though but for the Cricket -- just, And but for the Bee -- Not in all the Meadow -- One accost me -- Better to be ready -- Than did next morn Meet me in Aragon -- My old Gown -- on -- And the surprised Air Rustics -- wear -- Summoned -- unexpectedly -- To Exeter. Thank you. ^E02:20:35 ^B02:20:45 >> Peggy Hiller [assumed spelling]. 576. The difference between Despair And Fear -- is like the One Between the instant of a Wreck And when the Wreck has been -- The Mind is smooth -- no Motion -- Contented as the Eye Upon the Forehead of a Bust -- That knows -- it cannot see. 577. I went to Heaven -- 'Twas a small Town -- Lit -- with a Ruby -- Lathed -- with Down -- Stiller -- than the fields At the full Dew -- Beautiful -- as Pictures -- No Man drew. People -- like the Moth -- Of Mechlin -- frames -- Duties -- of Gossamer -- And Eider -- names -- Almost -- contented -- I -- could be -- 'Mong such unique Society. 578. The Angle of a Landscape -- That every time I wake -- Between my Curtain and the Wall Upon an ample Crack -- Like a Venetian -- waiting -- Accosts my open eye -- Is just a Bough of Apples -- Held slanting, in the Sky -- The Pattern of a Chimney -- The Forehead of a Hill -- Sometimes -- a Vane's Forefinger -- But that's -- Occasional -- The Seasons -- shift -- my Picture -- Upon my Emerald Bough, I wake -- to find no -- Emeralds -- Then -- Diamonds -- which the Snow From Polar Caskets -- fetched me -- The Chimney -- and the Hill -- And just the Steeple's finger -- These -- never stir at all. 579. The Soul unto itself Is an imperial friend -- Or the most agonizing Spy -- An Enemy -- could send -- Secure against its own -- No treason it can fear -- Itself -- its Sovereign -- of itself The Soul should stand in Awe. 580. We see -- Comparatively -- The Thing so towering high We could not grasp its segment Unaided -- Yesterday -- This Morning's finer Verdict -- Makes scarcely worth the toil -- A furrow -- Our Cordillera -- Our Apennine -- a Knoll -- Perhaps 'tis kindly -- done us -- The Anguish -- and the loss -- The wrenching -- for His Firmament The Thing belonged to us -- To spare these Striding Spirits Some Morning of Chagrin -- The waking of a Gnat's -- embrace -- Our Giants -- further on. 581. Of Course -- I prayed -- And did God Care? He cared as much as on the Air A Bird -- had stamped her foot -- And cried "Give Me" -- My Reason -- Life -- I had not had -- but for Yourself -- 'Twere better Charity To leave me in the Atom's Tomb -- Merry, and Nought, and gay, and numb -- Than this smart Misery. 582. I'm sorry for the Dead -- Today -- It's such congenial times Old Neighbors have at fences -- It's time o' year for Hay. And Broad -- Sunburned Acquaintance Discourse between the Toil -- And laugh, a homely species That makes the Fences smile -- It seems so straight to lie away From all of the noise of Fields -- The Busy Carts -- the fragrant Cocks -- The Mower's Metre -- Steals -- A Trouble lest they're homesick -- Those Farmers -- and their Wives -- Set separate from the Farming -- And all the Neighbors' lives -- A Wonder if the Sepulchre Don't feel a lonesome way -- When Men -- and Boys -- and Carts -- and June, Go down the Fields to "Hay". ^E02:25:24 ^B02:25:39 >> Pamela Murray Winters. You cannot put a Fire out -- A Thing that can ignite Can go, itself, without a Fan -- Upon the slowest Night -- You cannot fold a Flood -- And put it in a Drawer -- Because the Winds would find it out -- And tell your Cedar Floor. 584. We dream -- it is good we are dreaming -- It would hurt us -- were we awake -- But since it is playing -- kill us, And we are playing -- shriek -- What harm? Men die -- externally -- It is a truth -- of Blood -- But we -- are dying in Drama -- And Drama -- is never dead -- Cautious -- We jar each other -- And either -- open the eyes -- Lest the Phantasm -- prove the Mistake -- And the livid Surprise Cool us to Shafts of Granite -- With just an Age -- and Name -- And perhaps a phrase in Egyptian -- It's prudenter -- to dream. 585. If ever the lid gets off my head And lets the brain away The fellow will go where he belonged -- Without a hint from me, And the world -- if the world be looking on -- Will see how far from home It is possible for sense to live The soul there -- all the time. 586. Some say goodnight -- at night -- I say goodnight by day -- Good-bye -- the Going utter me -- Goodnight, I still reply -- For parting, that is night, And presence, simply dawn -- Itself, the purple on the height Denominated morn. 587. She's happy, with a new Content -- That feels to her -- like Sacrament -- She's busy -- with an altered Care -- As just apprenticed to the Air -- She's tearful -- if she weep at all -- For blissful Causes -- Most of all That Heaven permit so meek as her -- To such a Fate -- to Minister. 588. The heart asks pleasure first, And then, excuse from pain; And then, those little anodynes That deaden suffering; And then, to go to sleep; And then, if it should be The will of its Inquisitor, The privilege to die. 589. They called me to the Window, for " 'Twas Sunset" -- Some one said -- I only saw a Sapphire Farm -- And just a Single Herd -- Of Opal Cattle -- feeding far Upon so vain a Hill -- As even while I looked -- dissolved -- Nor Cattle were -- nor Soil -- But in their stead -- a Sea -- displayed -- And Ships -- of such a size As Crew of Mountains -- could afford -- And Decks -- to seat the skies -- This -- too -- the Showman rubbed away -- And when I looked again -- Nor Farm -- nor Opal Herd -- was there -- Nor Mediterranean. 590. No Romance sold unto Could so enthrall a Man As the perusal of His Individual One -- 'Tis Fiction's -- When 'tis small enough To Credit -- 'Tisn't true! ^M02:29:32 591. I heard a Fly buzz -- when I died -- The Stillness in the Room Was like the Stillness in the Air -- Between the Heaves of Storm -- The Eyes around -- had wrung them dry -- And Breaths were gathering firm For that last Onset -- when the King Be witnessed -- in the Room -- I willed my Keepsakes -- Signed away What portion of me be Assignable -- and then it was There interposed a Fly -- With Blue -- uncertain stumbling Buzz -- Between the light -- and me -- And then the Windows failed -- and then I could not see to see. 592. The Soul that hath a Guest Doth seldom go abroad -- Diviner Crowd at Home -- Obliterate the need -- And Courtesy forbid A Host's departure when Upon Himself be visiting The Emperor of Men. ^E02:30:35 ^B02:30:45 >> Stephanie Mastten [assumed spelling]. 593. I watched the Moon around the House Until upon a Pane -- She stopped -- a Traveller's privilege -- for Rest -- And there upon I gazed -- as at a stranger -- The Lady in the Town Doth think no incivility To lift her Glass -- upon -- But never Stranger justified The Curiosity Like Mine -- for not a Foot -- nor Hand -- Nor Formula -- had she -- But like a Head -- a Guillotine Slid carelessly away -- Did independent, Amber -- Sustain her in the sky -- Or like a Stemless Flower -- Upheld in rolling Air By finer Gravitations -- Than bind Philosopher -- No Hunger -- had she -- nor an Inn -- Her Toilette -- to suffice -- Nor Avocation -- nor Concern For little Mysteries As harass us -- like Life -- and Death -- And Afterwards -- or Nay -- But seemed engrossed to Absolute -- With shining -- and the Sky -- The privilege to scrutinize Was scarce upon my Eyes When, with a Silver practise -- She vaulted out of Gaze -- And next -- I met her on a Cloud -- Myself too far below To follow her superior Road -- Or its advantage -- Blue. 594. When I hoped I feared -- Since I hoped I dared Everywhere alone As a Church remain -- Spectre cannot harm -- Serpent cannot charm -- He deposes Doom Who hath suffered him. 595. The Lightning playeth -- all the while -- But when He singeth -- then -- Ourselves are conscious He exist -- And we approach Him -- stern -- With Insulators -- and a Glove -- Whose short -- sepulchral Bass Alarms us -- tho' His Yellow feet May pass -- and counterpass -- Upon the Ropes -- above our Head -- Continual -- with the News -- Nor We so much as check our speech -- Nor stop to cross Ourselves. 596. Ourselves were wed one summer -- dear -- Your Vision -- was in June -- And when Your little Lifetime failed, I wearied -- too -- of mine -- And overtaken in the Dark -- Where You had put me down -- By Some one carrying a Light -- I -- too -- received the Sign. 'Tis true -- Our Futures different lay -- Your Cottage -- faced the sun -- While Oceans -- and the North must be -- On every side of mine 'Tis true, Your Garden led the Bloom, For mine -- in Frosts -- was sown -- And yet, one Summer, we were Queens -- But You -- were crowned in June. 597. 'Tis little I -- could care for Pearls -- Who own the ample sea -- Or Brooches -- when the Emperor -- With Rubies -- pelteth me -- Or Gold -- who am the Prince of Mines -- Or Diamonds -- when have I A Diadem to fit a Dome -- Continual upon me. 598. The Brain -- is wider than the Sky -- For -- put them side by side -- The one the other will contain With ease -- and You -- beside -- The Brain is deeper than the sea -- For -- hold them -- Blue to Blue -- The one the other will absorb -- As Sponges -- Buckets -- do -- The Brain is just the weight of God -- For -- Heft them -- Pound for Pound -- And they will differ -- if they do -- As Syllable from Sound. 599. We do not play on Graves -- Because there isn't Room -- Besides -- it isn't even -- it slants And People come -- And put a Flower on it -- And hang their faces so -- We're fearing that their Hearts will drop -- And crush our pretty play -- And so we move as far As Enemies -- away -- Just looking round to see how far It is -- Occasionally. 600. Her -- "last Poems" -- Poets -- ended -- Silver -- perished -- with her Tongue -- Not on Record -- bubbled other, Flute -- or Woman -- So divine -- Not unto its Summer -- Morning Robin -- uttered Half the Tune -- Gushed too full for the Adoring -- From the Anglo-Florentine. ^E02:35:35 ^B02:36:14 >> Terry [inaudible] and I'll start at 601. When Bells stop ringing -- Church -- begins The Positive -- of Bells -- When Cogs -- stop -- that's Circumference -- The Ultimate -- of Wheels. 602. The Manner of its Death When Certain it must die -- 'Tis deemed a privilege to choose -- 'Twas Major Andre's Way -- When Choice of Life -- is past -- There yet remains a Love Its little Fate to stipulate -- How small in those who live -- The Miracle to tease With Bable of the styles -- How "they are Dying mostly -- now" -- And Customs at "St. James"! 603. The Red -- Blaze -- is the Morning -- The Violet -- is Noon -- The Yellow -- Day -- is falling -- And after that -- is none -- But Miles of Sparks -- at Evening -- Reveal the Width that burned -- The Territory Argent -- that Never yet -- consumed. 604. You'll know Her -- by Her Foot -- The smallest Gamboge Hand With Fingers -- where the Toes should be -- Would more affront the Sand -- Than this Quaint Creature's Boot -- Adjusted by a Stern -- Without a Button -- I could vouch -- Unto a Velvet Limb -- You'll know Her -- by Her Vest -- Tight fitting -- Orange -- Brown -- Inside a Jacket duller -- She wore when she was born -- Her Cap is small -- and snug -- Constructed for the Winds -- She'd pass for Barehead -- short way off -- But as She Closer stands -- So finer 'tis than Wool -- You cannot feel the Seam -- Nor is it Clasped unto of Band -- Nor held upon -- of Brim -- You'll know Her -- by Her Voice -- At first -- a doubtful Tone -- A sweet endeavor -- but as March To April -- hurries on -- She squanders on your Head Such Arguments of Pearl -- You beg the Robin in your Brain To keep the other -- still. 605. I am alive -- I guess -- The Branches on my Hand Are full of Morning Glory -- And at my finger's end -- The Carmine -- tingles warm -- And if I hold a Glass Across my Mouth -- it blurs it -- Physician's -- proof of Breath -- I am alive -- because I am not in a Room -- The Parlor -- Commonly -- it is -- So Visitors may come -- And lean -- and view it sidewise -- And add "How cold -- it grew" -- And "Was it conscious -- when it stepped In Immortality?" I am alive -- because I do not own a House -- Entitled to myself -- precise -- And fitting no one else -- And marked my Girlhood's name -- So Visitors may know Which Door is mine -- and not mistake -- And try another Key -- How good -- to be alive! How infinite -- to be Alive -- two-fold -- The Birth I had -- And this -- besides, in -- Thee! Except the smaller size No lives are round -- These -- hurry to a sphere And show and end -- The larger -- slower grow And later hang -- The Summers of Hesperides Are long. 607. I think the longest Hour of all Is when the Cars have come -- And we are waiting for the Coach -- It seems as though the Time Indignant -- that the Joy was come -- Did block the Gilded Hands -- And would not let the Seconds by -- But slowest instant -- ends -- The Pendulum begins to count -- Like little Scholars -- loud -- The steps grow thicker -- in the Hall -- The Heart begins to crowd -- Then I -- my timid service done -- Tho' service 'twas, of Love -- Take up my little Violin -- And further North -- remove. ^E02:40:36 ^B02:40:49 >> Ann Stone. 608. So glad we are -- a Stranger'd deem 'Twas sorry, that we were -- For where the Holiday should be There publishes a Tear -- Nor how Ourselves be justified -- Since Grief and Joy are done So similar -- An Optizan Could not decide between. 609. A Night -- there lay the Days between -- The Day that was Before -- And Day that was Behind -- were one -- And now -- 'twas Night -- was here -- Slow -- Night -- that must be watched away -- As Grains on a shore -- Too imperceptible to note -- Till it be night -- no more. 610. From Cocoon forth a Butterfly As Lady from her Door Emerged -- a Summer Afternoon -- Repairing Everywhere -- Without Design -- that I could trace Except to stray abroad On Miscellaneous Enterprise The Clovers -- understood -- Her pretty Parasol be seen Contracting in a Field Where Men made Hay -- Then struggling hard With an opposing Cloud -- Where Parties -- Phantom as Herself -- To Nowhere -- seemed to go In purposeless Circumference -- As 'twere a Tropic Show -- And notwithstanding Bee -- that worked -- And Flower -- that zealous blew -- This Audience of Idleness Disdained them, from the Sky -- Till Sundown crept -- a steady Tide -- And Men that made the Hay -- And Afternoon -- and Butterfly -- Extinguished -- in the Sea. 611. Her sweet Weight on my Heart a Night Had scarcely deigned to lie -- When, stirring, for Belief's delight, My Bride had slipped away -- If 'twas a Dream -- made solid -- just The Heaven to confirm -- Or if Myself were dreamed of Her -- The power to presume -- With Him remain -- who unto Me -- Gave -- even as to All -- A Fiction superseding Faith -- By so much -- as 'twas real. 612. 'Tis Opposites -- entice -- Deformed Men -- ponder Grace -- Bright fires -- the Blanketless -- The Lost -- Day's face -- The Blind -- esteem it be Enough Estate -- to see -- The Captive -- strangles new -- For deeming -- Beggars -- play -- To lack -- enamor Thee -- Tho' the Divinity -- Be only Me. 613. The Day that I was crowned Was like the other Days -- Until the Coronation came -- And then -- 'twas Otherwise -- As Carbon in the Coal And Carbon in the Gem Are One -- and yet the former Were dull for Diadem -- I rose, and all was plain -- But when the Day declined Myself and It, in Majesty Were equally -- adorned -- The Grace that I -- was chose -- To Me -- surpassed the Crown That was the Witness for the Grace -- 'Twas even that 'twas Mine. 614. 'Twas warm -- at first -- like Us -- Until there crept upon A Chill -- like frost upon a Glass -- Till all the scene -- be gone. The Forehead copied Stone -- The Fingers grew too cold To ache -- and like a Skater's Brook -- The busy eyes -- congealed -- It straightened -- that was all -- It crowded Cold to Cold -- It multiplied indifference -- As Pride were all it could -- And even when with Cords -- 'Twas lowered, like a Weight -- It made no Signal, nor demurred, But dropped like Adamant. 615 is next. ^E02:45:31 ^B02:45:47 >> Jim Haze [assumed spelling]. 615. God is a distant -- stately Lover -- Woos, as He states us -- by His Son -- Verily, a Vicarious Courtship -- "Miles", and "Priscilla", were such an One -- But, lest the Soul -- like fair "Priscilla" Choose the Envoy -- and spurn the Groom -- Vouches, with hyperbolic archness -- "Miles", and "John Alden" were Sycamore. 616. If any sink, assure that this, now standing -- Failed like Themselves -- and conscious that it rose -- Grew by the Fact, and not the Understanding How Weakness passed -- or Force -- arose -- Tell that the Worst, is easy in a Moment -- Dread, but the Whizzing, before the Ball -- When the Ball enters, enters Silence -- Dying -- annuls the power to kill. 617. The Night was wide, and furnished scant With but a single Star -- That often as a Cloud it met -- Blew out itself -- for fear -- The Wind pursued the little Bush -- And drove away the Leaves November left -- then clambered up And fretted in the Eaves -- No Squirrel went abroad -- A Dog's belated feet Like intermittent Plush, he heard Adorn the empty Street -- To feel if Blinds be fast -- And closer to the fire -- Her little Rocking Chair to draw -- And shiver for the Poor -- The Housewife's gentle Task -- How pleasanter -- said she Unto the Sofa opposite -- The Sleet -- than May, no Thee. 618. To love thee Year by Year -- May less appear Than sacrifice, and cease -- However, dear, Forever might be short, I thought to show -- And so I pieced it, with a flower, now. 619. Did you ever stand in a Cavern's Mouth -- Widths out of the Sun -- And look -- and shudder, and block your breath -- And deem to be alone In such a place, what horror, How Goblin it would be -- And fly, as 'twere pursuing you? Then Loneliness -- looks so -- Did you ever look in a Cannon's face -- Between whose Yellow eye -- And yours -- the Judgment intervened -- The Question of "To die" -- Extemporizing in your ear As cool as Satyr's Drums -- If you remember, and were saved -- It's liker so -- it seems. 620. Much madness is divinest sense To a discerning eye; Much sense the starkest madness. 'T is the majority In this, as all, prevails. Assent, and you are sane; Demur, -- you're straightway dangerous, And handled with a chain. ^E02:49:41 ^B02:49:56 >> Susan Galbryith [assumed spelling]. 621. The Wind -- tapped like a tired Man -- And like a Host -- "Come in" I boldly answered -- entered then My Residence within A Rapid -- footless Guest -- To offer whom a Chair Were as impossible as hand A Sofa to the Air -- No Bone had He to bind Him -- His Speech was like the Push Of numerous Humming Birds at once From a superior Bush -- His Countenance -- a Billow -- His Fingers, as He passed Let go a music -- as of tunes Blown tremulous in Glass -- He visited -- still flitting -- Then like a timid Man Again, He tapped -- 'twas flurriedly -- And I became alone. 622. To interrupt His Yellow Plan The Sun does not allow Caprices of the Atmosphere -- And even when the Snow Heaves Balls of Specks, like Vicious Boy Directly in His Eye -- Does not so much as turn His Head Busy with Majesty -- 'Tis His to stimulate the Earth -- And magnetize the Sea -- And bind Astronomy, in place, Yet Any passing by Would deem Ourselves -- the busier As the Minutest Bee That rides -- emits a Thunder -- A Bomb -- to justify. 623. Prayer is the little implement Through which Men reach Where Presence -- is denied them. They fling their Speech By means of it -- in God's Ear -- If then He hear -- This sums the Apparatus Comprised in Prayer. 624. What care the Dead, for Chanticleer -- What care the Dead for Day? 'Tis late your Sunrise vex their face -- And Purple Ribaldry -- of Morning Pour as blank on them As on the Tier of Wall The Mason builded, yesterday, And equally as cool -- What care the Dead for Summer? The Solstice had no Sun Could waste the Snow before their Gate -- And knew One Bird a Tune -- Could thrill their Mortised Ear Of all the Birds that be -- This One -- beloved of Mankind Henceforward cherished be -- What care the Dead for Winter? Themselves as easy freeze -- June Noon -- as January Night -- As soon the South -- her Breeze Of Sycamore -- or Cinnamon -- Deposit in a Stone And put a Stone to keep it Warm -- Give Spices -- unto Men. 625. Forget! The lady with the Amulet Forget she wore it at her Heart Because she breathed against Was Treason twixt? Deny! Did Rose her Bee -- For Privilege of Play Or Wile of Butterfly Or Opportunity -- Her Lord away? The lady with the Amulet -- will face -- The Bee -- in Mausoleum laid -- Discard his Bride -- But longer than the little Rill -- That cooled the Forehead of the Hill -- While Other -- went t0 Sea to fill -- And Other -- went to turn the Mill -- I'll do thy Will. 626. Undue Significance a starving man attaches To Food -- Far off -- He sighs -- and therefore -- Hopeless -- And therefore -- Good -- Partaken -- it relieves -- indeed -- But proves us That Spices fly In the Receipt -- It was the Distance -- Was Savory. ^E02:55:18 ^B02:55:42 >> Judith Farr [assumed spelling]. I think I was enchanted When first a sombre Girl -- I read that Foreign Lady -- The Dark -- felt beautiful -- And whether it was noon at night -- Or only Heaven -- at Noon -- For very Lunacy of Light I had not power to tell -- The Bees -- became as Butterflies -- The Butterflies -- as Swans -- Approached -- and spurned the narrow Grass -- And just the meanest Tunes That Nature murmured to herself To keep herself in Cheer -- I took for Giants -- practising Titanic Opera -- The Days -- to Mighty Metres stept -- The Homeliest -- adorned As if unto a Jubilee 'Twere suddenly Confirmed -- I could not have defined the change -- Conversion of the Mind Like Sanctifying in the Soul -- Is Witnessed -- not Explained -- 'Twas a Divine Insanity -- The Danger to be sane Should I again experience -- 'Tis Antidote to turn -- To Tomes of solid Witchcraft -- Magicians be asleep -- But Magic -- hath an Element -- Like Deity -- to keep. 628. 'Tis customary as we part A trinket -- to confer -- It helps to stimulate the faith When Lovers be afar -- 'Tis various -- as the various taste -- Clematis -- journeying far -- Presents me with a single Curl Of her Electric Hair. 629. The Battle fought between the Soul And No Man -- is the One Of all the Battles prevalent -- By far the Greater One -- No News of it is had abroad -- Its Bodiless Campaign Establishes, and terminates -- Invisible -- Unknown -- Nor History -- record it -- As Legions of a Night The Sunrise scatters -- These endure -- Enact -- and terminate. 630. The Soul's Superior instants Occur to Her -- alone -- When friend -- and Earth's occasion Have infinite withdrawn -- Or She -- Herself -- ascended To too remote a Height For lower Recognition Than Her Omnipotent -- This Mortal Abolition Is seldom -- but as fair As Apparition -- subject To Autocratic Air -- Eternity's disclosure To favorites -- a few -- Of the Colossal substance Of Immortality. 631. Me prove it now -- Whoever doubt Me stop to prove it -- now -- Make haste -- the Scruple! Death be scant For Opportunity -- The River reaches to my feet -- As yet -- My Heart be dry -- Oh Lover -- Life could not convince -- Might Death -- enable Thee -- The River reaches to My Breast -- Still -- still -- My Hands above Proclaim with their remaining Might -- Dost recognize the Love? The River reaches to my Mouth -- Remember -- when the Sea Swept by my searching eyes -- the last -- Themselves were quick -- with Thee! 632. To lose one's faith -- surpass The loss of an Estate -- Because Estates can be Replenished -- faith cannot -- Inherited with Life -- Belief -- but once -- can be -- Annihilate a single clause -- And Being's -- Beggary. ^M03:00:03 633. I saw no Way -- The Heavens were stitched -- I felt the Columns close -- The Earth reversed her Hemispheres -- I touched the Universe -- And back it slid -- and I alone -- A Speck upon a Ball -- Went out upon Circumference -- Beyond the Dip of Bell. 634. Had I presumed to hope -- The loss had been to Me A Value -- for the Greatness' Sake -- As Giants -- gone away -- Had I presumed to gain A Favor so remote -- The failure but confirm the Grace In further Infinite -- 'Tis failure -- not of Hope -- But Confident Despair -- Advancing on Celestial Lists -- With faint -- Terrestial power -- 'Tis Honor -- though I die -- For That no Man obtain Till He be justified by Death -- This -- is the Second Gain. ^E03:01:07 ^B03:01:30 >> 633. I saw no Way -- The Heavens were stitched -- I felt the Columns close -- The Earth reversed her Hemispheres -- I touched the Universe -- And back it slid -- and I alone -- A Speck upon a Ball -- Went out upon Circumference -- Beyond the Dip of Bell. 635. Just to be rich, to waste my ginny on so broad a heart. Just to be poor for barefoot pleasure. You, sir, shut me out. 636. It struck me -- every Day -- The Lightning was as new As if the Cloud that instant slit And let the Fire through -- It burned Me -- in the Night -- It Blistered to My Dream -- It sickened fresh upon my sight -- With every Morn that came -- I though that Storm -- was brief -- The Maddest -- quickest by -- But Nature lost the Date of This -- And left it in the Sky. 637. I went to thank her, But she slept; Her bed a funnelled stone, With nosegays at the head and foot, That travellers had thrown, Who went to thank her; But she slept. 'Twas short to cross the sea To look upon her like, alive, But turning back 'twas slow. 638. The Future -- never spoke -- Nor will He -- like the Dumb -- Reveal by sign -- a syllable Of His Profound To Come -- But when the News be ripe -- Presents it -- in the Act -- Forestalling Preparation -- Escape -- or Substitute -- Indifferent to Him -- The Dower -- as the Doom -- His Office -- but to execute Fate's -- Telegram -- to Him. 639. I gained it so -- By Climbing slow -- By Catching at the Twigs that grow Between the Bliss -- and me -- It hung so high As well the Sky Attempt by Strategy -- I said I gained it -- This -- was all -- Look, how I clutch it Lest it fall -- And I a Pauper go -- Unfitted by an instant's Grace For the Contented -- Beggar's face I wore -- an hour ago. 640. Death sets a Thing significant The Eye had hurried by Except a perished Creature Entreat us tenderly To ponder little Workmanships In Crayon, or in Wool, With "This was last Her fingers did" -- Industrious until -- The Thimble weighed too heavy -- The stitches stopped -- by themselves -- And then 'twas put among the Dust Upon the Closet shelves -- A Book I have -- a friend gave -- Whose Pencil -- here and there -- Had notched the place that pleased Him -- At Rest -- His fingers are -- Now -- when I read -- I read not -- For interrupting Tears -- Obliterate the Etchings Too Costly for Repairs. ^E03:06:03 ^B03:06:12 >> Jennifer Chang. 641. What I can do -- I will -- Though it be little as a Daffodil -- That I cannot -- must be Unknown to possibility. 642. There is a flower that Bees prefer -- And Butterflies -- desire -- To gain the Purple Democrat The Humming Bird -- aspire -- And Whatsoever Insect pass -- A Honey bear away Proportioned to his several dearth And her -- capacity -- Her face be rounder than the Moon And ruddier than the Gown Or Orchis in the Pasture -- Or Rhododendron -- worn -- She doth not wait for June -- Before the World be Green -- Her sturdy little Countenance Against the Wind -- be seen -- Contending with the Grass -- Near Kinsman to Herself -- For Privilege of Sod and Sun -- Sweet Litigants for Life -- And when the Hills be full -- And newer fashions blow -- Doth not retract a single spice For pang of jealousy -- Her Public -- be the Noon -- Her Providence -- the Sun -- Her Progress -- by the Bee -- proclaimed -- In sovereign -- Swerveless Tune -- The Bravest -- of the Host -- Surrendering -- the last -- Nor even of Defeat -- aware -- What cancelled by the Frost. 643. A Secret told -- Ceases to be a Secret -- then -- A Secret -- kept -- That -- can appal but One -- Better of it -- continual be afraid -- Than it -- And Whom you told it to -- beside. 644. For Death -- or rather For the Things 'twould buy -- This -- put away Life's Opportunity -- The Things that Death will buy Are Room -- Escape from Circumstances -- And a Name -- With Gifts of Life How Death's Gifts may compare -- We know not -- For the Rates -- lie Here. 645. Exhilaration -- is within -- There can no Outer Wine So royally intoxicate As that diviner Brand The Soul achieves -- Herself -- To drink -- or set away For Visitor -- Or Sacrament -- 'Tis not of Holiday To stimulate a Man Who hath the Ample Rhine Within his Closet -- Best you can Exhale in offering. 646. 'Tis One by One -- the Father counts -- And then a Tract between Set Cypherless -- to teach the Eye The Value of its Ten -- Until the peevish Student Acquire the Quick of Skill -- Then Numerals are dowered back -- Adorning all the Rule -- 'Tis mostly Slate and Pencil -- And Darkness on the School Distracts the Children's fingers -- Still the Eternal Rule Regards least Cypherer alike With Leader of the Band -- And every separate Urchin's Sum -- Is fashioned for his hand. ^M03:10:00 647. To fill a Gap Insert the Thing that caused it -- Block it up With Other -- and 'twill yawn the more -- You cannot solder an Abyss With Air. 648. I've seen a dying eye Run round and round a room In search of something, as it seemed, Then cloudier become; And then, obscure with fog, And then be soldered down, Without disclosing what it be, 'T were blessed to have seen. ^E03:10:39 ^B03:10:51 >> Dwayne Gilderlose [assumed spelling]. 649. No Rack can torture me -- My Soul -- at Liberty -- Behind this mortal Bone There knits a bolder One -- You cannot prick with saw -- Nor pierce with Scimitar -- Two Bodies -- therefore be -- Bind One -- The Other fly -- The Eagle of his Nest No easier divest -- And gain the Sky Than mayest Thou -- Except Thyself may be Thine Enemy -- Captivity is Consciousness -- So's Liberty. 650. Death is potential to that Man Who dies -- and to his friend -- Beyond that -- inconspicuous To Anyone but God -- Of these Two -- God remembers The longest -- for the friend -- Is integral -- and therefore Itself dissolved -- of God. 651. Smiling back from Coronation May be Luxury -- On the Heads that started with us -- Being's Peasantry -- Recognizing in Procession Ones We former knew -- When Ourselves were also dusty -- Centuries ago -- Had the Triumph no Conviction Of how many be -- Stimulated -- by the Contrast -- Unto Misery. 652. That I did always love I bring thee Proof That till I loved I never lived -- Enough -- That I shall love alway -- I argue thee That love is life -- And life hath Immortality -- This -- dost thou doubt -- Sweet -- Then have I Nothing to show But Calvary. 653. No Crowd that has occurred Exhibit -- I suppose That General Attendance That Resurrection -- does -- Circumference be full -- The long restricted Grave Assert her Vital Privilege -- The Dust -- connect -- and live -- On Atoms -- features place -- All Multitudes that were Efface in the Comparison -- As Suns -- dissolve a star -- Solemnity -- prevail -- Its Individual Doom Possess each separate Consciousness -- August -- Absorbed -- Numb -- What Duplicate -- exist -- What Parallel can be -- Of the Significance of This -- To Universe -- and Me? 654. Beauty -- be not caused -- It Is -- Chase it, and it ceases -- Chase it not, and it abides -- Overtake the Creases In the Meadow -- when the Wind Runs his fingers thro' it -- Deity will see to it That You never do it. 655. He parts Himself -- like Leaves -- And then -- He closes up -- Then stands upon the Bonnet Of Any Buttercup -- And then He runs against And oversets a Rose -- And then does Nothing -- Then away upon a Jib -- He goes -- And dangles like a Mote Suspended in the Noon -- Uncertain -- to return Below -- Or settle in the Moon -- What come of Him -- at Night -- The privilege to say Be limited by Ignorance -- What come of Him -- That Day -- The Frost -- possess the World -- In Cabinets -- be shown -- A Sepulchre of quaintest Floss -- An Abbey -- a Cocoon. 656. I started Early -- Took my Dog -- And visited the Sea -- The Mermaids in the Basement Came out to look at me -- And Frigates -- in the Upper Floor Extended Hempen Hands -- Presuming Me to be a Mouse -- Aground -- upon the Sands -- But no Man moved Me -- till the Tide Went past my simple Shoe -- And past my Apron -- and my Belt -- And past my Bodice -- too -- And made as He would eat me up -- As wholly as a Dew Upon a Dandelion's Sleeve -- And then -- I started -- too -- And He -- He followed -- close behind -- I felt his Silver Heel Upon my Ankle -- Then my Shoes Would overflow with Pearl -- Until We met the Solid Town -- No One seemed to know -- And bowing -- with a Mighty look -- At me -- The Sea withdrew. ^E03:15:35 ^B03:15:49 >> David Gissey [assumed spelling]. 657. Endow the Living -- with the Tears -- You squander on the Dead, And They were Men and Women -- now, Around Your Fireside -- Instead of Passive Creatures, Denied the Cherishing Till They -- the Cherishing deny -- With Death's Ethereal Scorn. 658. 'Tis true -- They shut me in the Cold -- But then -- Themselves were warm And could not know the feeling 'twas -- Forget it -- Lord -- of Them -- Let not my Witness hinder Them In Heavenly esteem -- No Paradise could be -- Conferred Through Their beloved Blame -- The Harm They did -- was short -- And since Myself -- who bore it -- do -- Forgive Them -- Even as Myself -- Or else -- forgive not me. 659. The Province of the Saved Should be the Art -- To save -- Through Skill obtained in Themselves -- The Science of the Grave No Man can understand But He that hath endured The Dissolution -- in Himself -- That Man -- be qualified To qualify Despair To Those who failing new -- Mistake Defeat for Death -- Each time -- Till acclimated -- to. 660. I took my Power in my Hand -- And went against the World -- 'Twas not so much as David -- had -- But I -- was twice as bold -- I aimed by Pebble -- but Myself Was all the one that fell -- Was it Goliath -- was too large -- Or was myself -- too small? 661. Some such Butterfly be seen On Brazilian Pampas -- Just at noon -- no later -- Sweet -- Then -- the License closes -- Some such Spice -- express and pass -- Subject to Your Plucking -- As the Stars -- You knew last Night -- Foreigners -- This Morning. 662. I had no Cause to be awake -- My Best -- was gone to sleep -- And Morn a new politeness took -- And failed to wake them up -- But called the others -- clear -- And passed their Curtains by -- Sweet Morning -- when I oversleep -- Knock -- Recollect -- to Me -- I looked at Sunrise -- Once -- And then I looked at Them -- And wishfulness in me arose -- For Circumstance the same -- 'Twas such an Ample Peace -- It could not hold a Sigh -- 'Twas Sabbath -- with the Bells divorced -- 'Twas Sunset -- all the Day -- So choosing but a Gown -- And taking but a Prayer -- The only Raiment I should need -- I struggled -- and was There. ^M03:19:59 663. I fear a Man of frugal Speech -- I fear a Silent Man -- Haranguer -- I can overtake -- Or Babbler -- entertain -- But He who weigheth -- While the Rest -- Expend their furthest pound -- Of this Man -- I am wary -- I fear that He is Grand. 664. Rehearsal to Ourselves Of a Withdrawn Delight -- Affords a Bliss like Murder -- Omnipotent -- Acute -- We will not drop the Dirk -- Because We love the Wound The Dirk Commemorate -- Itself Remind Us that we died. ^E03:20:55 ^B03:21:25 >> 667 -- 669. I'm sorry. Five -- 665. I'm sorry, I just walked in. I'm a little late [laughter]. 665. The Martyr Poets -- did not tell -- But wrought their Pang in syllable -- That when their mortal name be numb -- Their mortal fate -- encourage Some -- The Martyr Painters -- never spoke -- Bequeathing -- rather -- to their Work -- That when their conscious fingers cease -- Some seek in Art -- the Art of Peace. 666. I cross till I am weary A Mountain -- in my mind -- More Mountains -- then a Sea -- More Seas -- And then A Desert -- find -- And My Horizon blocks With steady -- drifting -- Grains Of unconjectured quantity -- As Asiatic Rains -- Nor this -- defeat my Pace -- It hinder from the West But as an Enemy's Salute One hurrying to Rest -- What merit had the Goal -- Except there intervene Faint Doubt -- and far Competitor -- To jeopardize the Gain? At last -- the Grace in sight -- I shout unto my feet -- I offer them the Whole of Heaven The instant that we meet -- They strive -- and yet delay -- They perish -- Do we die -- Or is this Death's Experiment -- Reversed -- in Victory? Now 667. Answer July -- Where is the Bee -- Where is the Blush -- Where is the Hay? Ah, said July -- Where is the Seed -- Where is the Bud -- Where is the May -- Answer Thee -- Me -- Nay -- said the May -- Show me the Snow -- Show me the Bells -- Show me the Jay! Quibbled the Jay -- Where be the Maize -- Where be the Haze -- Where be the Bur? Here -- said the Year. 668. There is a Shame of Nobleness -- Confronting Sudden Pelf -- A finer Shame of Ecstasy -- Convicted of Itself -- A best Disgrace -- a Brave Man feels -- Acknowledged -- of the Brave -- One More -- "Ye Blessed" -- to be told -- But that's -- Behind the Grave. 669. An ignorance a Sunset Confer upon the Eye -- Of Territory -- Color -- Circumference -- Decay -- Its Amber Revelation Exhilirate -- Debase -- Omnipotence' inspection Of Our inferior face -- And when the solemn features Confirm -- in Victory -- We start -- as if detected In Immortality. ^E03:25:12 ^B03:25:20 >> You just heard from Dr. Rafael [inaudible] who will be reading at the [inaudible] Library this evening at 7:30 p.m. I sure hope that you can join us, it's just a block down. Coming up next is Joshua Whiner [assumed spelling]. ^E03:25:35 ^B03:25:43 >> 670. One Crucifixion is recorded -- only -- How many be Is not affirmed of Mathematics -- Or History -- One Calvary -- exhibited to Stranger -- As many be As persons -- or Peninsulas -- Gethsemane -- Is but a Province -- in the Being's Centre -- Judea -- For Journey -- or Crusade's Achieving -- Too near -- Our Lord -- indeed -- made Compound Witness -- And yet -- There's newer -- nearer Crucifixion Than That. 671. The sweetest Heresy received That Man and Woman know -- Each Other's Convert -- Though the Faith accommodate but Two -- The Churches are so frequent -- The Ritual -- so small -- The Grace so unavoidable -- To fail -- is Infidel. 672. Take your Heaven further on -- This -- to Heaven divine Has gone -- Had You earlier blundered in Possibly, e'en You had seen An Eternity -- put on -- Now -- to ring a Door beyond Is the utmost of Your Hand -- To the Skies -- apologize -- Nearer to Your Courtesies Than this Sufferer polite -- Dressed to meet You -- See -- in White! 673. A Tongue -- to tell Him I am true! Its fee -- to be of Gold -- Had Nature -- in Her monstrous House A single Ragged Child -- To earn a Mine -- would run That Interdicted Way, And tell Him -- Charge thee speak it plain -- That so far -- Truth is True? And answer What I do -- Beginning with the Day That Night -- begun -- Nay -- Midnight -- 'twas -- Since Midnight -- happened -- say -- If once more -- Pardon -- Boy -- The Magnitude thou may Enlarge my Message -- If too vast Another Lad -- help thee -- Thy Pay -- in Diamonds -- be -- And His -- in solid Gold -- Say Rubies -- if He hesitate -- My Message -- must be told -- Say -- last I said -- was This -- That when the Hills -- come down -- And hold no higher than the Plain -- My Bond -- have just begun -- And when the Heavens -- disband -- And Deity conclude -- Then -- look for me. Be sure you say -- Least Figure -- on the Road. 674. I could not prove the Years had feet -- Yet confident they run Am I, from symptoms that are past And Series that are done -- I find my feet have further Goals -- I smile upon the Aims That felt so ample -- Yesterday -- Today's -- have vaster claims -- I do not doubt the self I was Was competent to me -- But something awkward in the fit -- Proves that -- outgrown -- I see. ^E03:30:20 ^B03:30:40 >> Pamela Murray Winters. 675. What Soft -- Cherubic Creatures -- These Gentlewomen are -- One would as soon assault a Plush -- Or violate a Star -- Such Dimity Convictions -- A Horror so refined Of freckled Human Nature -- Of Deity -- ashamed -- It's such a common -- Glory -- A Fisherman's -- Degree -- Redemption -- Brittle Lady -- Be so -- ashamed of Thee. 676. You know that Portrait in the Moon -- So tell me who 'tis like -- The very Brow -- the stooping eyes -- A fog for -- Say -- Whose Sake? The very Pattern of the Cheek -- It varies -- in the Chin -- But -- Ishmael -- since we met -- 'tis long -- And fashions -- intervene -- When Moon's at full -- 'Tis Thou -- I say -- My lips just hold the name -- When crescent -- Thou art worn -- I note -- But -- there -- the Golden Same -- And when -- Some Night -- Bold -- slashing Clouds Cut Thee away from Me -- That's easier -- than the other film That glazes Holiday. 677. Funny -- to be a Century -- And see the People -- going by -- I -- should die of the Oddity -- But then -- I'm not so staid -- as He -- He keeps His Secrets safely -- very -- Were He to tell -- extremely sorry This Bashful Globe of Ours would be -- So dainty of Publicity. 678. Not probable -- The barest Chance -- A smile too few -- a word too much And far from Heaven as the Rest -- The Soul so close on Paradise -- What if the Bird from journey far -- Confused by Sweets -- as Mortals -- are -- Forget the secret of His wing And perish -- but a Bough between -- Oh, Groping feet -- Oh Phantom Queen! 679. When Night is almost done -- And Sunrise grows so near That we can touch the Spaces -- It's time to smooth the Hair -- And get the Dimples ready -- And wonder we could care For that old -- faded Midnight -- That frightened -- but an Hour. 680. Triumph -- may be of several kinds -- There's Triumph in the Room When that Old Imperator -- Death -- By Faith be overcome. There's triumph of the finer mind When truth, affronted long, Advanced unmoved to her supreme Her God, her only throng. A triumph when temptation's bridge Be slowly handed back, One eye upon the Heaven renounced And one upon the rack. Severer triumph, by himself Experienced, who can pass Acquitted from that naked bar, Jehovah's countenance! 681. Don't put up my Thread and Needle -- I'll begin to Sew When the Birds begin to whistle -- Better Stitches -- so -- These were bent -- my sight got crooked -- When my mind -- is plain I'll do seams -- a Queen's endeavor Would not blush to own -- Hems -- too fine for Lady's tracing To the sightless Knot -- Tucks -- of dainty interspersion -- Like a dotted Dot -- Leave my Needle in the furrow -- Where I put it down -- I can make the zigzag stitches Straight -- when I am strong -- Till then -- dreaming I am sewing Fetch the seam I missed -- Closer -- so I -- at my sleeping -- Still surmise I stitch. 682. So well that I can live without -- I love thee -- then How well is that? As well as Jesus? Prove it me That He -- loved Men -- As I -- love thee. 683. At leisure is the Soul That gets a Staggering Blow -- The Width of Life -- before it spreads Without a thing to do -- It begs you give it Work -- But just the placing Pins -- Or humblest Patchwork -- Children do -- To still it's noisy Hands. ^E03:35:37 ^B03:35:47 >> Number 684. Sweet -- safe -- Houses -- Glad -- gay -- Houses -- Sealed so stately tight -- Lids of Steel -- on Lids of Marble -- Locking Bare feet out -- Brooks of Plush -- in Banks of Satin Not so softly fall As the laughter -- and the whisper -- From their People Pearl -- No Bald Death -- affront their Parlors -- No Bold Sickness come To deface their Stately Treasures -- Anguish -- and the Tomb -- Hum by -- in Muffled Coaches -- Lest they -- wonder Why -- Any -- for the Press of Smiling -- Interrupt -- to die. 685. Glee! The great storm is over! Four have recovered the land; Forty gone down together Into the boiling sand. Ring, for the scant salvation! Toll, for the bonnie souls, -- Neighbor and friend and bridegroom, Spinning upon the shoals ! How they will tell the story When winter shake the door, Till the children urge, "But the forty? Did they come back no more?" Then a silence suffuses the story, And a softness the teller's eye; And the children no further question, And only the sea reply. 686. It makes no difference abroad -- The Seasons -- fit -- the same -- The Mornings blossom into Noons -- And split their Pods of Flame -- Wild flowers -- kindle in the Woods -- The Brooks slam -- all the Day -- No Black bird bates his Banjo -- For passing Calvary -- Auto da Fe -- and Judgment -- Are nothing to the Bee -- His separation from His Rose -- To Him -- sums Misery. 687. I asked no other thing. No other was denied. I offered Being for it; The mighty merchant sneered. Brazil? He twirled a button, Without a glance my way "But, madam, is there nothing else That we can show to-day?" 688. To know just how he suffered would be dear; To know if any human eyes were near To whom he could entrust his wavering gaze, Until it settled firm on Paradise. To know if he was patient, part content, Was dying as he thought, or different; Was it a pleasant day to die, And did the sunshine face his way? What was his furthest mind, of home, or God, Or what the distant say At news that he ceased human nature On such a day? And wishes, had he any? Just his sigh, accented, Had been legible to me. And was he confident until Ill fluttered out in everlasting well? And if he spoke, what name was best, What first, What one broke off with At the drowsiest? Was he afraid, or tranquil? Might he know How conscious consciousness could grow, Till love that was, and love too blest to be, Meet  --  and the junction be Eternity? ^M03:40:25 689. It was too late for man, But early yet for God; Creation impotent to help, But prayer remained our side. How excellent the heaven, When earth cannot be had; How hospitable, then, the face Of our old neighbor, God! ^E03:40:58 ^B03:41:08 >> Mimi Zanino [assumed spelling]. Forever -- is composed of Nows -- 'Tis not a different time -- Except for Infiniteness -- And Latitude of Home -- From this -- experienced Here -- Remove the Dates -- to These -- Let Months dissolve in further Months -- And Years -- exhale in Years -- Without Debate -- or Pause -- Or Celebrated Days -- No different Our Years would be From Anno Domini's. 691. 'Twas a long Parting -- but the time For Interview -- had Come -- Before the Judgment Seat of God -- The last -- and second time These Fleshless Lovers met -- A Heaven in a Gaze -- A Heaven of Heavens -- the Privilege Of one another's Eyes -- No Lifetime -- on Them -- Appareled as the new Unborn -- except They had beheld -- Born infiniter -- now -- Was Bridal -- e'er like This? A Paradise -- the Host -- And Cherubim -- and Seraphim -- The unobtrusive Guest. 692. Only God -- detect the Sorrow -- Only God -- The Jehovahs -- are no Babblers -- Unto God -- God the Son -- Confide it -- Still secure -- God the Spirit's Honor -- Just as sure. 693. Like eyes that looked on Wastes -- Incredulous of Ought But Blank -- and steady Wilderness -- Diversified by Night -- Just Infinites of Nought -- As far as it could see -- So looked the face I looked upon -- So looked itself -- on Me -- I offered it no Help -- Because the Cause was Mine -- The Misery a Compact As hopeless -- as divine -- Neither -- would be absolved -- Neither would be a Queen Without the Other -- Therefore -- We perish -- tho' We reign. 694. A Tooth upon Our Peace The Peace cannot deface -- Then Wherefore be the Tooth? To vitalize the Grace -- The Heaven hath a Hell -- Itself to signalize -- And every sign before the Place Is Gilt with Sacrifice. 695. I know where Wells grow -- Droughtless Wells -- Deep dug -- for Summer days -- Where Mosses go no more away -- And Pebble -- safely plays -- It's made of Fathoms -- and a Belt -- A Belt of jagged Stone -- Inlaid with Emerald -- half way down -- And Diamonds -- jumbled on -- It has no Bucket -- Were I rich A Bucket I would buy -- I'm often thirsty -- but my lips Are so high up -- You see -- I read in an Old fashioned Book That People "thirst no more" -- The Wells have Buckets to them there -- It must mean that -- I'm sure -- Shall We remember Parching -- then? Those Waters sound so grand -- I think a little Well -- like Mine -- Dearer to understand. 696. The Tint I cannot take -- is best -- The Color too remote That I could show it in Bazaar -- A Guinea at a sight -- The fine -- impalpable Array -- That swaggers on the eye Like Cleopatra's Company -- Repeated -- in the sky -- The Moments of Dominion That happen on the Soul And leave it with a Discontent Too exquisite -- to tell -- The eager look -- on Landscapes -- As if they just repressed Some Secret -- that was pushing Like Chariots -- in the Vest -- The Pleading of the Summer -- That other Prank -- of Snow -- That Cushions Mystery with Tulle, For fear the Squirrels -- know. Their Graspless manners -- mock us -- Until the Cheated Eye Shuts arrogantly -- in the Grave -- Another way -- to see. ^E03:45:49 ^B03:46:02 >> I'm Sally Keith [assumed spelling]. 697. Why make it doubt -- it hurts it so -- So sick -- to guess -- So strong -- to know -- So brave -- upon its little Bed To tell the very last They said Unto Itself -- and smile -- And shake -- For that dear -- distant -- dangerous -- Sake -- But -- the Instead -- the Pinching fear That Something -- it did do -- or dare -- Offend the Vision -- and it flee -- And They no more remember me -- Nor ever turn to tell me why -- Oh, Master, This is Misery. 698. I live with Him -- I see His face -- I go no more away For Visitor -- or Sundown -- Death's single privacy The Only One -- forestalling Mine -- And that -- by Right that He Presents a Claim invisible -- No wedlock -- granted Me -- I live with Him -- I hear His Voice -- I stand alive -- Today -- To witness to the Certainty Of Immortality -- Taught Me -- by Time -- the lower Way -- Conviction -- Every day -- That Life like This -- is stopless -- Be Judgment -- what it may. 699. The power to be true to You, Until upon my face The Judgment push his Picture -- Presumptuous of Your Place -- Of This -- Could Man deprive Me -- Himself -- the Heaven excel -- Whose invitation -- Yours reduced Until it showed too small. 700. The Way I read a Letter's -- this -- 'Tis first -- I lock the Door -- And push it with my fingers -- next -- For transport it be sure -- And then I go the furthest off To counteract a knock -- Then draw my little Letter forth And slowly pick the lock -- Then -- glancing narrow, at the Wall -- And narrow at the floor For firm Conviction of a Mouse Not exorcised before -- Peruse how infinite I am To no one that You -- know -- And sigh for lack of Heaven -- but not The Heaven God bestow. 701. The Child's faith is new -- Whole -- like His Principle -- Wide -- like the Sunrise On fresh Eyes -- Never had a Doubt -- Laughs -- at a Scruple -- Believes all sham But Paradise -- Credits the World -- Deems His Dominion Broadest of Sovereignties -- And Caesar -- mean -- In the Comparison -- Baseless Emperor -- Ruler of Nought -- Yet swaying all -- Grown bye and bye To hold mistaken His pretty estimates Of Prickly Things He gains the skill Sorrowful -- as certain -- Men -- to anticipate Instead of Kings. 702. Except the Heaven had come so near -- So seemed to choose My Door -- The Distance would not haunt me so -- I had not hoped -- before -- But just to hear the Grace depart -- I never thought to see -- Afflicts me with a Double loss -- 'Tis lost -- and lost to me. 703. To my small Hearth His fire came -- And all my House aglow Did fan and rock, with sudden light -- 'Twas Sunrise -- 'twas the Sky -- Impaneled from no Summer brief -- With limit of Decay -- 'Twas Noon -- without the News of Night -- Nay, Nature, it was Day. ^M03:50:12 704. My Portion is Defeat -- today -- A paler luck than Victory -- Less Paeans -- fewer Bells -- The Drums don't follow Me -- with tunes -- Defeat -- a somewhat slower -- means -- More Arduous than Balls -- 'Tis populous with Bone and stain -- And Men too straight to stoop again --, And Piles of solid Moan -- And Chips of Blank -- in Boyish Eyes -- And scraps of Prayer -- And Death's surprise, Stamped visible -- in Stone -- There's somewhat prouder, over there -- The Trumpets tell it to the Air -- How different Victory To Him who had it -- and the One Who to have had it, would have been Contender -- to die. ^E03:50:55 ^B03:51:10 >> David Mackelavy [assumed spelling]. I am ashamed -- I hide -- What right have I -- to be a Bride -- So late a Dowerless Girl -- Nowhere to hide my dazzled Face -- No one to teach me that new Grace -- Nor introduce -- my Soul -- Me to adorn -- How -- tell -- Trinket -- to make Me beautiful -- Fabrics of Cashmere -- Never a Gown of Dun -- more -- Raiment instead -- of Pompadour -- For Me -- My soul -- to wear -- Fingers -- to frame my Round Hair Oval -- as Feudal Ladies wore -- Far Fashions -- Fair -- Skill to hold my Brow like an Earl -- Plead -- like a Whippoorwill -- Prove -- like a Pearl -- Then, for Character -- Fashion My Spirit quaint -- white -- Quick -- like a Liquor -- Gay -- like Light -- Bring Me my best Pride -- No more ashamed -- No more to hide -- Meek -- let it be -- too proud -- for Pride -- Baptized -- this Day -- a Bride. 706. I cannot live with You -- It would be Life -- And Life is over there -- Behind the Shelf The Sexton keeps the Key to -- Putting up Our Life -- His Porcelain -- Like a Cup -- Discarded of the Housewife -- Quaint -- or Broke -- A newer Sevres pleases -- Old Ones crack -- I could not die -- with You -- For One must wait To shut the Other's Gaze down -- You -- could not -- And I -- Could I stand by And see You -- freeze -- Without my Right of Frost -- Death's privilege? Nor could I rise -- with You -- Because Your Face Would put out Jesus' -- That New Grace Glow plain -- and foreign On my homesick Eye -- Except that You than He Shone closer by -- They'd judge Us -- How -- For You -- served Heaven -- You know, Or sought to -- I could not -- Because You saturated Sight -- And I had no more Eyes For sordid excellence As Paradise And were You lost, I would be -- Though My Name Rang loudest On the Heavenly fame -- And were You -- saved -- And I -- condemned to be Where You were not -- That self -- were Hell to Me -- So We must meet apart -- You there -- I -- here -- With just the Door ajar That Oceans are -- and Prayer -- And that White Sustenance -- Despair. 707. Size circumscribes -- it has no room For petty furniture -- The Giant tolerates no Gnat For Ease of Gianture -- Repudiates it, all the more -- Because intrinsic size Ignores the possibility Of Calumnies -- or Flies. 708. They put Us far apart -- As separate as Sea And Her unsown Peninsula -- We signified "These see" -- They took away our Eyes -- They thwarted Us with Guns -- "I see Thee" each responded straight Through Telegraphic Signs -- With Dungeons -- They devised -- But through their thickest skill -- And their opaquest Adamant -- Our Souls saw -- just as well -- They summoned Us to die -- With sweet alacrity We stood upon our stapled feet -- Condemned -- but just -- to see -- Permission to recant -- Permission to forget -- We turned our backs upon the Sun For perjury of that -- Not Either -- noticed Death -- Of Paradise -- aware -- Each other's Face -- was all the Disc Each other's setting -- saw. ^E03:55:54 ^B03:56:04 >> I'm Michael Collier. 709. Me from Myself -- to banish -- Had I Art -- Impregnable my Fortress Unto All Heart -- But since Myself -- assault Me -- How have I peace Except by subjugating Consciousness? And since We're mutual Monarch How this be Except by Abdication -- Me -- of Me? 710. Doom is the House without the Door -- 'Tis entered from the Sun -- And then the Ladder's thrown away, Because Escape -- is done -- 'Tis varied by the Dream Of what they do outside -- Where Squirrels play -- and Berries die -- And Hemlocks -- bow -- to God. 711. 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 Yours, 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 -- Tat 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. 712. I could suffice for Him, I knew -- He -- could suffice for Me -- Yet Hesitating Fractions -- Both Surveyed Infinity -- "Would I be Whole" He sudden broached -- My syllable rebelled -- 'Twas face to face with Nature -- forced -- 'Twas face to face with God -- Withdrew the Sun -- to Other Wests -- Withdrew the furthest Star Before Decision -- stooped to speech -- And then -- be audibler The Answer of the Sea unto The Motion of the Moon -- Herself adjust Her Tides -- unto -- Could I -- do else -- with Mine? 713. You left me -- Sire -- two Legacies -- A Legacy of Love A Heavenly Father would suffice Had He the offer of -- You left me Boundaries of Pain -- Capacious as the Sea -- Between Eternity and Time -- Your Consciousness -- and Me. ^M04:00:07 714. No Man can compass a Despair -- As round a Goalless Road No faster than a Mile at once The Traveller proceed -- Unconscious of the Width -- Unconscious that the Sun Be setting on His progress -- So accurate the One At estimating Pain -- Whose own -- has just begun -- His ignorance -- the Angel That pilot Him along. ^E04:00:38 ^B04:00:47 [ Inaudible Speaker ] ^M04:00:57 >> Maxine Silverman. The Sun kept setting -- setting -- still No Hue of Afternoon -- Upon the Village I perceived From House to House 'twas Noon -- The Dusk kept dropping -- dropping -- still No Dew upon the Grass -- But only on my Forehead stopped -- And wandered in my Face -- My Feet kept drowsing -- drowsing -- still My fingers were awake -- Yet why so little sound -- Myself Unto my Seeming -- make? How well I knew the Light before -- I could see it now -- 'Tis Dying -- I am doing -- but I'm not afraid to know. 716. Shells from the Coast mistaking -- I cherished them for All -- Happening in After Ages To entertain a Pearl -- Wherefore so late -- I murmured -- My need of Thee -- be done -- Therefore -- the Pearl responded -- My Period begin. 717. The Heaven vests for Each In that small Deity It craved the grace to worship Some bashful Summer's Day -- Half shrinking from the Glory It importuned to see Till these faint Tabernacles drop In full Eternity -- How imminent the Venture -- As one should sue a Star -- For His mean sake to leave the Row And entertain Despair -- A Clemency so common -- We almost cease to fear -- Enabling the minutest -- And furthest -- to adore. 718. The Spirit is the Conscious Ear. We actually Hear When We inspect -- that's audible -- That is admitted -- Here -- For other Services -- as Sound -- There hangs a smaller Ear Outside the Castle -- that Contain -- The other -- only -- Hear. 719. If He were living -- dare I ask -- And how if He be dead -- And so around the Words I went -- Of meeting them -- afraid -- I hinted Changes -- Lapse of Time -- The Surfaces of Years -- I touched with Caution -- lest they crack -- And show me to my fears -- Reverted to adjoining Lives -- Adroitly turning out Wherever I suspected Graves -- 'Twas prudenter -- I thought -- And He -- I pushed -- with sudden force -- In face of the Suspense -- "Was buried" -- "Buried"! "He!" My Life just holds the Trench. 720. As if the Sea should part And show a further Sea -- And that -- a further -- and the Three But a presumption be -- Of Periods of Seas -- Unvisited of Shores -- Themselves the Verge of Seas to be -- Eternity -- is Those. 721. "Nature" is what we see -- The Hill -- the Afternoon -- Squirrel -- Eclipse -- the Bumble bee -- Nay -- Nature is Heaven -- Nature is what we hear -- The Bobolink -- the Sea -- Thunder -- the Cricket -- Nay -- Nature is Harmony -- Nature is what we know -- Yet have no art to say -- So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Sincerity. ^E04:05:35 ^B04:05:55 >> 722. Upon Concluded Lives There's nothing cooler falls -- Than Life's sweet Calculations -- The mixing Bells and Palls -- Make Lacerating Tune -- To Ears the Dying Side -- 'Tis Coronal -- and Funeral -- Saluting -- in the Road. 723. Have any like Myself Investigating March, New Houses on the Hill descried -- And possibly a Church -- That were not, We are sure -- As lately as the Snow -- And are Today -- if We exist -- Though how may this be so? Have any like Myself Conjectured Who may be The Occupants of the Adobes -- So easy to the Sky -- 'Twould seem that God should be The nearest Neighbor to -- And Heaven -- a convenient Grace For Show, or Company -- Have any like Myself Preserved the Charm secure By shunning carefully the Place All Seasons of the Year, Excepting March -- 'Tis then My Villages be seen -- And possibly a Steeple -- Not afterward -- by Men. 724. Each Life Converges to some Centre -- Expressed -- or still -- Exists in every Human Nature A Goal -- Embodied scarcely to itself -- it may be -- Too fair For Credibility's presumption To mar -- Adored with caution -- as a Brittle Heaven -- To reach Were hopeless, as the Rainbow's Raiment To touch -- Yet persevered toward -- sure -- for the Distance -- How high -- Unto the Saint's slow diligence -- The Sky -- Ungained -- it may be -- by a Life's low Venture -- But then -- and cease to recollect the auger and the carpenter, with just such a retrospect. Half the perfected life of past and plank and nail and slowness then the scaffolds drop, affirming it the soul. 730. You've seen Balloons set -- Haven't You? So stately they ascend -- It is as Swans -- discarded You, For Duties Diamond -- Their Liquid Feet go softly out Upon a Sea of Blonde -- They spurn the Air, as t'were too mean For Creatures so renowned -- Their Ribbons just beyond the eye -- They struggle -- some -- for Breath -- And yet the Crowd applaud, below -- They would not encore -- Death -- The Gilded Creature strains -- and spins -- Trips frantic in a Tree -- Tears open her imperial Veins -- And tumbles in the Sea -- The Crowd -- retire with an Oath -- The Dust in Streets -- go down -- And Clerks in Counting Rooms Observe -- "'Twas only a Balloon". 731. A Thought went up my mind today -- That I have had before -- But did not finish -- some way back -- I could not fix the Year -- Nor where it went -- nor why it came The second time to me -- Nor definitely, what it was -- Have I the Art to say -- But somewhere -- in my Soul -- I know -- I've met the Thing before -- It just reminded me -- 'twas all -- And came my way no more. ^M04:10:02 732. A first Mute Coming -- In the Stranger's House -- A first fair Going -- When the Bells rejoice -- A first Exchange -- of What hath mingled -- been -- For Lot -- exhibited to Faith -- alone. 733. Out of sight? What of that? See the Bird -- reach it! Curve by Curve -- Sweep by Sweep -- Round the Steep Air -- Danger! What is that to Her? Better 'tis to fail -- there -- Than debate -- here -- Blue is Blue -- the World through -- Amber -- Amber -- Dew -- Dew -- Seek -- Friend -- and see -- Heaven is shy of Earth -- that's all -- Bashful Heaven -- thy Lovers small -- Hide -- too -- from thee. ^E04:11:00 ^B04:11:10 >> I'm Amy Stolz [assumed spelling]. 734. No matter -- now -- Sweet -- But when I'm Earl -- Won't you wish you'd spoken To that dull Girl? Trivial a Word -- just -- Trivial -- a Smile -- But won't you wish you'd spared one When I'm Earl? I shan't need it -- then -- Crests -- will do -- Eagles on my Buckles -- On my Belt -- too -- Ermine -- my familiar Gown -- Say -- Sweet -- then Won't you wish you'd smiled -- just -- Me upon? 735. The Moon was but a Chin of Gold A Night or two ago -- And now she turns Her perfect Face Upon the World below -- Her Forehead is of Amplest Blonde -- Her Cheek -- a Beryl hewn -- Her Eye unto the Summer Dew The likest I have known -- Her Lips of Amber never part -- But what must be the smile Upon Her Friend she could confer Were such Her Silver Will -- And what a privilege to be But the remotest Star -- For Certainty She take Her Way Beside Your Palace Door -- Her Bonnet is the Firmament -- The Universe -- Her Shoe -- The Stars -- the Trinkets at Her Belt -- Her Dimities -- of Blue. You said that I "was Great" -- one Day -- Then "Great" it be -- if that please Thee -- Or Small -- or any size at all -- Nay -- I'm the size suit Thee -- Tall -- like the Stag -- would that? Or lower -- like the Wren -- Or other heights of Other Ones I've seen? Tell which -- it's dull to guess -- And I must be Rhinoceros Or Mouse -- At once -- for Thee -- So say -- if Queen it be -- Or Page -- please Thee -- I'm that -- or nought -- Or other thing -- if other thing there be -- With just this Stipulus -- I suit Thee. 737. I many times thought Peace had come When Peace was far away -- As Wrecked Men -- deem they sight the Land -- At Centre of the Sea -- And struggle slacker -- but to prove As hopelessly as I -- How many the fictitious Shores -- Before the Harbor be. 738. No Other can reduce Our mortal Consequence Like the remembering it be nought A Period from hence But Contemplation for Contemporaneous Nought Our Single Competition Jehovah's Estimate. 739. Joy to have merited the Pain -- To merit the Release -- Joy to have perished every step -- To Compass Paradise -- Pardon -- to look upon thy face -- With these old fashioned Eyes -- Better than new -- could be -- for that -- Though bought in Paradise -- Because they looked on thee before -- And thou hast looked on them -- Prove Me -- My Hazel Witnesses The features are the same -- So fleet thou wert, when present -- So infinite -- when gone -- An Orient's Apparition -- Remanded of the Morn -- The Height I recollect -- 'Twas even with the Hills -- The Depth upon my Soul was notched -- As Floods -- on Whites of Wheels -- To Haunt -- till Time have dropped His last Decade away, And Haunting actualize -- to last At least -- Eternity. ^E04:15:25 ^B04:15:42 >> My name is Sarah Browning. On a Columnar Self -- How ample to rely In Tumult -- or Extremity -- How good the Certainty That Lever cannot pry -- And Wedge cannot divide Conviction -- That Granitic Base -- Though None be on our Side -- Suffice Us -- for a Crowd -- Ourself -- and Rectitude -- And that Assembly -- not far off From furthest Spirit -- God. 741. Nature -- the Gentlest Mother is, Impatient of no Child -- The feeblest -- or the waywardest -- Her Admonition mild -- In Forest -- and the Hill -- By Traveller -- be heard -- Restraining Rampant Squirrel -- Or too impetuous Bird -- How fair Her Conversation -- A Summer Afternoon -- Her Household -- Her Assembly -- And when the Sun go down -- Her Voice among the Aisles Incite the timid prayer Of the minutest Cricket -- The most unworthy Flower -- When all the Children sleep -- She turns as long away As will suffice to light Her lamps -- Then bending from the Sky -- With infinite Affection -- And infiniter Care -- Her Golden finger on Her lip -- Wills Silence -- Everywhere. 742. No Prisoner be -- Where Liberty -- Himself -- abide with Thee. Behind Me -- dips Eternity -- Before Me -- Immortality -- Myself -- the Term between -- Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray, Dissolving into Dawn away, Before the West begin -- 'Tis Kingdoms -- afterward -- they say -- In perfect -- pauseless Monarchy -- Whose Prince -- is Son of None -- Himself -- His Dateless Dynasty -- Himself -- Himself diversify -- In Duplicate divine -- 'Tis Miracle before Me -- then -- 'Tis Miracle behind -- between -- A Crescent in the Sea -- With Midnight to the North of Her -- And Midnight to the South of Her -- And Maelstrom -- in the Sky. 744. She dwelleth in the Ground -- Where Daffodils -- abide -- Her Maker -- Her Metropolis -- The Universe -- Her Maid -- To fetch Her Grace -- and Hue -- And Fairness -- and Renown -- The Firmament's -- To Pluck Her -- And fetch Her Thee -- be mine. 745. Sweet Mountains -- Ye tell Me no lie -- Never deny Me -- Never fly -- Those same unvarying Eyes Turn on Me -- when I fail -- or feign, Or take the Royal names in vain -- Their far -- slow -- Violet Gaze -- My Strong Madonnas -- Cherish still -- The Wayward Nun -- beneath the Hill -- Whose service -- is to You -- Her latest Worship -- When the Day Fades from the Firmament away -- To lift Her Brows on You. ^M04:20:18 746. It tossed -- and tossed -- A little Brig I knew -- o'ertook by Blast -- It spun -- and spun -- And groped delirious, for Morn -- It slipped -- and slipped -- As One that drunken -- stept -- Its white foot tripped -- Then dropped from sight -- Ah, Brig -- Good Night To Crew and You -- The Ocean's Heart too smooth -- too Blue -- To break for You. ^E04:20:53 ^B04:21:05 >> What a perfect ending. Good afternoon, I'm Terri Cross Davis, the Poetry and Lectures Coordinator for the Folger Shakespeare Library. There were no words dropped carelessly off the page today, and that was in thanks to all our incredible and dedicated readers who took part in today's marathon. As for our audience, we hope that you felt as if no fire could warm you. Of course the weather may have helped us in this endeavor [laughter] because you definitely heard poetry here today. Our celebration of Emily Dickinson is not over. Please join us at 7:30 at the Folger Shakespeare Library just one block away to hear the acclaimed poet, Rafael Campo reading and lecture for the annual Emily Dickinson birthday tribute reading. Following that reading will be a wine reception with Dickinson's famous black cake, as envisioned by the sugar chef. So please, a round of applause for Eleanor Heginbotham of the Emily Dickinson International Society, Rob Casper of the Poetry and Lecture Center, and all the staff here at the Library of Congress, and to you. And, please, an early happy birthday to Emily. ^M04:22:14 [ Applause ] ^M04:22:22 >> This has been a presentation of the Library of Congress. Visit us at loc.gov. ^E04:22:28