How went the Agile Kernel out
Contusion of the Husk
Nor Rip, nor wrinkle indicate
But just an Asterisk.

A pittance at a time
Until to Her surprise
The Soul with strict economy
Subsist till Paradise.

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –
I just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton — sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.

That I shall love alway –
I argue thee
That love is life –
And life hath Immortality –

This — dost thou doubt — Sweet –
Then have I
Nothing to show
But Calvary –

Night after Night
Her purple traffic
Strews the landing with Opal Bales –
Merchantmen — poise upon Horizons –
Dip — and vanish like Orioles!

A long — long Yellow — on the Lawn –
A Hubbub — as of feet –
Not audible — as Ours — to Us –
But dapperer — More Sweet –

A Hurrying Home of little Men
To Houses unperceived –
All this — and more — if I should tell –
Would never be believed –

Of Robins in the Trundle bed
How many I espy
Whose Nightgowns could not hide the Wings –
Although I heard them try –

But then I promised ne’er to tell –
How could I break My Word?
So go your Way — and I’ll go Mine –
No fear you’ll miss the Road.

Balked in the vastest instance
But to renew –
Felled by but one assassin –
Prosperity –

The Sun went out to work –
The Day went out to play
And not again that Dew be seen
By Physiognomy

Whether by Day Abducted
Or emptied by the Sun
Into the Sea in passing
Eternally unknown

Attested to this Day
That awful Tragedy
By Transport’s instability
And Doom’s celerity.

I did not know the year then –
In which my call would come –
Earlier, by the Dial,
Than the rest have gone.

It’s stiller than the sundown.
It’s cooler than the dawn –
The Daisies dare to come here –
And birds can flutter down –

So when you are tired –
Or perplexed — or cold –
Trust the loving promise
Underneath the mould,
Cry “it’s I,” “take Dollie,”
And I will enfold!

Like her the Evenings steal
Purple and Cochineal
After the Day!

“Departed” — both — they say!
i.e. gathered away,
Not found,

Argues the Aster still –
Reasons the Daffodil
Profound!

Some know Him whom We knew –
Sweet Wonder –
A Nature be
Where Saints, and our plain going Neighbor
Keep May!

He will tell me what “Peter” promised –
And I — for wonder at his woe –
I shall forget the drop of Anguish
That scalds me now — that scalds me now!

The Door as instant shut — And I –
I — lost — was passing by –
Lost doubly — but by contrast — most –
Informing — misery –

No eye hath seen and lived
We ignorant must be –
We only know what time of Year
We took the Mystery.

And Whatsoever Insect pass –
A Honey bear away
Proportioned to his several dearth
And her — capacity –

Her face be rounder than the Moon
And ruddier than the Gown
Or Orchis in the Pasture –
Or Rhododendron — worn –

She doth not wait for June –
Before the World be Green –
Her sturdy little Countenance
Against the Wind — be seen –

Contending with the Grass –
Near Kinsman to Herself –
For Privilege of Sod and Sun –
Sweet Litigants for Life –

And when the Hills be full –
And newer fashions blow –
Doth not retract a single spice
For pang of jealousy –

Her Public — be the Noon –
Her Providence — the Sun –
Her Progress — by the Bee — proclaimed –
In sovereign — Swerveless Tune –

The Bravest — of the Host –
Surrendering — the last –
Nor even of Defeat — aware –
What cancelled by the Frost –

Then waned without disparagement
In a dissembling Hue
That would not let the Eye decide
Did it abide or no –

No Man depose
Whom Fate Ordain –
And Who can add a Crown
To Him who doth continual
Conspire against His Own

Exactly — as the World –
And yet the newest Star –
Enrolled upon the Hemisphere
Be wrinkled — much as Her –

Too near to God — to pray –
Too near to Heaven — to fear –
The Lady of the Occident
Retired without a care –

Her Candle so expire
The flickering be seen
On Ball of Mast in Bosporus –
And Dome — and Window Pane –