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 —...