776

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 BirdFor Treason — in the Pound —Himself has but to willAnd easy as a StarAbolish his Captivity —And laugh — No more have I —

Because—because if he should dieWhile I was gone—and I—too late—Should reach the Heart that wanted me—If I should disappoint the eyesThat hunted—hunted so—to see—And could not bear to shut untilThey ‘noticed’ me—they noticed me—If I should stab the patient faithSo sure I’d come—so sure I’d come—It listening—listening—went to sleep—Telling my tardy name—My Heart would wish…

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 containThe 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 easierTo fail—with Land in Sight—Than gain—My Blue Peninsula—To perish—of Delight—

Proffered to the Plain—Twice a Winter’s silver FractureOn the Rivers been—Two full Autumns for the SquirrelBounteous prepared—Nature, Had’st thou not a BerryFor thy wandering Bird?

He—could suffice for Me—Yet Hesitating Fractions—BothSurveyed 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 StarBefore Decision—stooped to speech—And then—be audiblerThe Answer of the Sea untoThe Motion of the Moon—Herself adjust Her Tides—unto—Could I—do else—with Mine?

Whole Pools of it—I’m used to that—But the least push of JoyBreaks up my feet—And I tip—drunken—Let no Pebble—smile—‘Twas the New Liquor—That was all!Power is only Pain—Stranded, thro’ Discipline,Till Weights—will hang—Give Balm—to Giants—And they’ll wilt, like Men—Give Himmaleh—They’ll Carry—Him!