1. English

  • I cannot dance upon my Toes —

    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 —

    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 cautious, scanned my little life —

    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 could die — to know —

    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 —...

  • I could not drink it, Sweet,

    I could not drink it, Sweet,

    Till You had tasted first,

    Though cooler than the Water was

    The Thoughtfullness of Thirst.

  • I could suffice for Him, I knew —

    I could suffice for Him, I knew —

    He — could suffice for Me —

    Yet Hesitating Fractions — Both

    Surveyed Infinity —


    "Would I be Whole" He sudden broached —

    My syllable rebelled —

    'Twas face to face with Nature — forced —

    'Twas face to face with God —


    Withdrew the Sun —...

  • I cried at Pity — not at Pain —

    I cried at Pity — not at Pain —

    I heard a Woman say

    "Poor Child" — and something in her voice

    Convicted me — of me —


    So long I fainted, to myself

    It seemed the common way,

    And Health, and Laughter, Curious things —

    To look at, like a Toy —


    To sometimes hear "Rich...

  • I cross till I am weary

    I cross till I am weary

    A Mountain — in my mind —

    More Mountains — then a Sea —

    More Seas — And then

    A Desert — find —


    And My Horizon blocks

    With steady — drifting — Grains

    Of unconjectured quantity —

    As Asiatic Rains —


    Nor this — defeat my Pace —
    ...

  • I died for Beauty — but was scarce

    I died for beauty, but was scarce

    Adjusted in the tomb,

    When one who died for truth was lain

    In an adjoining room.


    He questioned softly why I failed ?

    "For beauty," I replied.

    "And I for truth, — the two are one ;...

  • I dreaded that first Robin, so,

    I dreaded that first Robin, so,

    But He is mastered, now,

    I'm some accustomed to Him grown,

    He hurts a little, though —


    I thought If I could only live

    Till that first Shout got by —

    Not all Pianos in the Woods

    Had power to mangle me —


    I dared not meet the Daffodils —...