What I can do — I will —
Though it be little as a Daffodil —
That I cannot — must be
Unknown to possibility —
-
-
What I see not, I better see —
Through Faith — my Hazel Eye
Has periods of shutting —
But, No lid has Memory —
For frequent, all my sense obscured
I equally behold
As someone held a light unto
The Features so beloved —-
And I arise — and in my Dream —
Do...What if I say I shall not wait!
What if I burst the fleshly Gate —
And pass escaped — to thee!
What if I file this Mortal — off —
See where it hurt me — That's enough —
And wade in Liberty!
They cannot take me — any more!
Dungeons can call — and Guns implore
Unmeaning...What Inn is this
Where for the night
Peculiar Traveller comes?
Who is the Landlord?
Where the maids?
Behold, what curious rooms!
No ruddy fires on the hearth —
No brimming Tankards flow —
Necromancer! Landlord!
Who are these below?What is — "Paradise" —
Who live there —
Are they "Farmers" —
Do they "hoe" —
Do they know that this is "Amherst" —
And that I — am coming — too —
Do they wear "new shoes" — in "Eden" —
Is it always pleasant — there —
Won't they scold us — when we're homesick —
Or...What mystery pervades a well!
That water lives so far —
A neighbor from another world
Residing in a jar
Whose limit none have ever seen,
But just his lid of glass —
Like looking every time you please
In an abyss's face!
The grass does not appear afraid,
I...What shall I do when the Summer troubles —
What, when the Rose is ripe —
What when the Eggs fly off in Music
From the Maple Keep?
What shall I do when the Skies a'chirrup
Drop a Tune on me —
When the Bee hangs all Noon in the Buttercup
What will become of me?
Oh, when...What shall I do — it whimpers so —
This little Hound within the Heart
All day and night with bark and start —
And yet, it will not go —
Would you untie it, were you me —
Would it stop whining — if to Thee —
I sent it — even now?
It should not tease you —
By your chair — or,...What Soft — Cherubic Creatures —
These Gentlewomen are —
One would as soon assault a Plush —
Or violate a Star —
Such Dimity Convictions —
A Horror so refined
Of freckled Human Nature —
Of Deity — ashamed —
It's such a common — Glory —
A Fisherman's —...What tenements of clover
Are fitting for the bee,
What edifices azure
For butterflies and me —
What residences nimble
Arise and evanesce
Without a rhythmic rumor
Or an assaulting guess.