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—
Confer upon the Eye—Of Territory—Color—Circumference&mda sh;Decay—Its Amber RevelationExhilirate—Debase—O mnipotence’ inspectionOf Our inferior face—And when the solemn featuresConfirm—in Victory—We start—as if detectedIn Immortality—
You, unsuspecting, wear me too –And angels know the rest.I hide myself within my flower,That, fading from your vase,You, unsuspecting, feel for meAlmost a loneliness.
And put it in the Drawer—Till it an Antique fashion shows—Like Costumes Grandsires wore.
An Ornament too grandFor Forehead low as mine, to wear,This might have been the HandThat sowed the flower, he preferred—Or smoothed a 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 knowThat whatsoe’er delighted it,I never would let go—The foot to bear his errand—A…
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—
I made the Taper shine—Madonna dim, to whom all Feet may come,Regard a Nun—Thou knowest every Woe—Needless to tell thee—so—But can’st thou doThe Grace next to it—heal?That looks a harder skill to us—Still—just as easy, if it be thy WillTo thee—Grant me—Thou knowest, though, so Why tell thee?
