The Beggar at the Door for Fame

Under the Grass and the Dirt,Under the Beetle’s CellarUnder the Clover’s Root,Further than Arm could stretchWere it Giant long,Further than Sunshine couldWere the Day Year long,Over the Light, yet over,Over the Arc of the Bird—Over the Comet’s chimney—Over the Cubit’s Head,Further than Guess can gallopFurther than Riddle ride—Oh for a Disc to the DistanceBetween Ourselves…

Eclipse – was all we could see at the WindowAnd Awe – was all we could feel.By and by – the boldest stole out of his CovertTo see if Time was there –Nature was in an Opal Apron,Mixing fresher Air.

I’m hardly justifiedIn 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 al 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—

A half a dozen kissed the eaves,And made the gables laugh.A few went out to help the brook,That went to help the sea.Myself conjectured, Were they pearls,What necklaces could be!The dust replaced in hoisted roads,The birds jocoser sung;The sunshine threw his hat away,The orchards spangles hung.The breezes brought dejected lutes,And bathed them in the glee;The…

I—hastened to demandTo fill the awful VacuumYour life had left behind—I worried Nature with my WheelsWhen Hers had ceased to run—When she had put away Her WorkMy own had just begun.I strove to weary Brain and Bone—To harass to fatigueThe glittering Retinue of nerves—Vitality to clogTo some dull comfort Those obtainWho put a Head awayThey…

The simple news that Nature told,With tender majestyHer message is committedTo hands I cannot see;For love of her, sweet countrymen,Judge tenderly of me!