Then gave the East unto the West
And opening his mouth
The four Divisions of the Earth
Did make as to devour
While everything to corners slunk
Behind the awful power –
The Wind – unto his Chambers went
And nature ventured out –
Her subjects scattered into place
Her systems ranged about
Again the smoke from Dwellings rose
The Day abroad was heard –
How intimate, a Tempest past
The Transport of the Bird –
Kept treading–treading–till it seemedThat Sense was breaking through–And when they all were seated,A Service, like a Drum–Kept beating–beating–till I thoughtMy Mind was going numb–And then I heard them lift a BoxAnd creak across my SoulWith those same Boots of Lead, again,Then Space–began to toll,As all the Heavens were a Bell,And Being, but an Ear,And I,…
Of a shapeless friend—He doth not attest by Posture—Nor Confirm—by Word—Neither Place—need I present Him—Fitter CourtesyHospitable intuitionOf His Company—Presence—is His furthest license—Neither He to MeNor Myself to Him—by Accent—Forfeit Probity—Weariness of Him, were quainterThan MonotonyKnew a Particle—of Space’sVast SocietyNeither if He visit Other—Do He dwell—or Nay—know I—But Instinct esteem HimImmortality—
As if the cloud that instant slitAnd let the fire through.It burned me in the night,It blistered in my dream;It sickened fresh upon my sightWith every morning’s beam.I thought that storm was brief,–The maddest, quickest by;But Nature lost the date of this,And left it in the sky.
‘ ‘Twas Sunset’—Some one said—I only saw a Sapphire Farm—And just a Single Herd—Of Opal Cattle—feeding farUpon 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 sizeAs 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…
An acre for a Bird to chooseWould be the General thought –How red the Fire rocks below –How insecure the sodDid I discloseWould populate with awe my solitude.
This afternoon put on –How condescending to descendAnd be of Buttercups the friendIn a New England Town –
