Denoted by the White—
The Spangled Gowns, a lesser Rank
Of Victors—designate—
All these—did conquer—
But the ones who overcame most times—
Wear nothing commoner than Snow—
No Ornament, but Palms—
Surrender—is a sort unknown—
On this superior soil—
Defeat—an outgrown Anguish—
Remembered, as the Mile
Our panting Ankle barely passed—
When Night devoured the Road—
But we—stood whispering in the House—
And all we said—was ‘Saved’!
He wore no sandal on his foot,And stepped like flakes of snow.His gait was soundless, like the bird,But rapid, like the roe;His fashions quaint, mosaic,Or, haply, mistletoe.Hi conversation seldom,His laughter like the breezeThat dies away in dimplesAmong the pensive trees.Our interview was transient, —Of me, himself was shy;And God forbid I look behindSince that appalling…
Then I remember not.And if forgetting, recollecting,How near I had forgot.And if to miss, were merry,And to mourn, were gay,How very blithe the fingersThat gathered this, Today!
These Gentlewomen are—One would as soon assault a Plush—Or violate a Star—Such Dimity Convictions—A Horror so refinedOf freckled Human Nature—Of Deity—ashamed—It’s such a common—Glory—A Fisherman’s—Degree—Redemption—Brittle Lady—Be so—ashamed of Thee—
Birds will pass meOn their way to Yellower Climes—Each—with a Robin’s expectation—I—with my Redbreast—And my Rhymes—Late—when I take my place in summer—But—I shall bring a fuller tune—Vespers—are sweeter than Matins—Signor—Morning—only the seed of Noon—
For petty furniture—The Giant tolerates no GnatFor Ease of Gianture—Repudiates it, all the more—Because intrinsic sizeIgnores the possibilityOf Calumnies—or Flies.
I’ll begin to SewWhen the Birds begin to whistle—Better Stitches—so—These were bent—my sight got crooked—When my mind—is plainI’ll do seams—a Queen’s endeavorWould not blush to own—Hems—too fine for Lady’s tracingTo 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 stitchesStraight—when I am strong—Till…
