My friend must be a Bird —
Because it flies!
Mortal, my friend must be,
Because it dies!
Barbs has it, like a Bee!
Ah, curious friend!
Thou puzzlest me!
-
-
My God — He sees thee —
Shine thy best —
Fling up thy Balls of Gold
Till every Cubit play with thee
And every Crescent hold —
Elate the Acre at his feet —
Upon his Atom swim —
Oh Sun — but just a Second's right
In thy long Race with him! -
My Heart upon a little Plate
Her Palate to delight
A Berry or a Bun, would be,
Might it an Apricot! -
My life closed twice before its close—
It yet remains to see
If Immortality unveil
A third event to me
So huge, so hopeless to conceive
As these that twice befell.
Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell. -
My Reward for Being, was This.
My premium — My Bliss —
An Admiralty, less —
A Sceptre — penniless —
And Realms — just Dross —
When Thrones accost my Hands —
With "Me, Miss, Me" —
I'll unroll Thee —
Dominions dowerless — beside this Grace —
Election — Vote —...My River runs to thee —
Blue Sea! Wilt welcome me?
My River wait reply —
Oh Sea — look graciously —
I'll fetch thee Brooks
From spotted nooks —
Say — Sea — Take Me!My Season's furthest Flower —
I tenderer commend
Because I found Her Kinsmanless,
A Grace without a Friend.My Soul — accused me — And I quailed —
As Tongue of Diamond had reviled
All else accused me — and I smiled —
My Soul — that Morning — was My friend —
Her favor — is the best Disdain
Toward Artifice of Time — or Men —
But Her Disdain — 'twere lighter bear
A finger of Enamelled Fire —...