• I cannot buy it — 'tis not sold —

    There is no other in the World —

    Mine was the only one


    I was so happy I forgot

    To shut the Door And it went out

    And I am all alone —


    If I could find it Anywhere

    I would not mind the journey there

    Though it took all my store
    ...

  • I cannot dance upon my Toes —

    No Man instructed me —

    But oftentimes, among my mind,

    A Glee possesseth me,


    That had I Ballet knowledge —

    Would put itself abroad

    In Pirouette to blanch a Troupe —

    Or lay a Prima, mad,


    And though I had no Gown of Gauze —

    No...

  • I cannot live with You —

    It would be Life —

    And Life is over there —

    Behind the Shelf


    The Sexton keeps the Key to —

    Putting up

    Our Life — His Porcelain —

    Like a Cup —


    Discarded of the Housewife —

    Quaint — or Broke —

    A newer Sevres pleases —...

  • I cannot meet the Spring unmoved —

    I feel the old desire —

    A Hurry with a lingering, mixed,

    A Warrant to be fair —


    A Competition in my sense

    With something hid in Her —

    And as she vanishes, Remorse

    I saw no more of Her.

  • I cannot see my soul but know 'tis there

    Nor ever saw his house nor furniture,

    Who has invited me with him to dwell;

    But a confiding guest consult as well,

    What raiment honor him the most,

    That I be adequately dressed,

    For he insures to none

    Lest men specified adorn

    Procuring him...

  • I cannot want it more —

    I cannot want it less —

    My Human Nature's fullest force

    Expends itself on this.


    And yet it nothing is

    To him who easy owns —

    Is Worth itself or Distance

    He fathoms who obtains.

  • I cautious, scanned my little life —

    I winnowed what would fade

    From what would last till Heads like mine

    Should be a-dreaming laid.


    I put the latter in a Barn —

    The former, blew away.

    I went one winter morning

    And lo - my priceless Hay


    Was not upon the "Scaffold" —...

  • “I come weary,

    In search of an inn—

    Ah! these wisteria flowers!”

  • I could bring You Jewels — had I a mind to —

    But You have enough — of those —

    I could bring You Odors from St. Domingo —

    Colors — from Vera Cruz —


    Berries of the Bahamas — have I —

    But this little Blaze

    Flickering to itself — in the Meadow —

    Suits Me — more than those —

    ...

  • I could die — to know —

    'Tis a trifling knowledge —

    News-Boys salute the Door —

    Carts — joggle by —

    Morning's bold face — stares in the window —

    Were but mine — the Charter of the least Fly —


    Houses hunch the House

    With their Brick Shoulders —

    Coals — from a Rolling Load —...