Dreams -- are well -- but Waking's better,
If One wake at morn --
If One wake at Midnight -- better --
Dreaming -- of the Dawn --

Sweeter -- the Surmising Robins --
Never gladdened Tree --
Than a Solid Dawn -- confronting --
Leading to no Day --

The Outer -- from the Inner
Derives its Magnitude --
'Tis Duke, or Dwarf, according
As is the Central Mood --

The fine -- unvarying Axis
That regulates the Wheel --
Though Spokes -- spin -- more conspicuous
And fling a dust -- the while.

The Inner -- paints the Outer --
The Brush without the Hand --
Its Picture publishes -- precise --
As is the inner Brand --

On fine -- Arterial Canvas --
A Cheek -- perchance a Brow --
The Star's whole Secret -- in the Lake --
Eyes were not meant to know.

The Malay -- took the Pearl --
Not -- I -- the Earl --
I -- feared the Sea -- too much
Unsanctified -- to touch --

Praying that I might be
Worthy -- the Destiny --
The Swarthy fellow swam --
And bore my Jewel -- Home --

Home to the Hut! What lot
Had I -- the Jewel -- got --
Borne on a Dusky Breasty --
I had not deemed a Vest
Of Amber -- fit --

The Negro never knew
I -- wooed it -- too --
To gain, or be undone --
Alike to Him -- One --

Love -- thou art high --
I cannot climb thee --
But, were it Two --
Who know but we --
Taking turns -- at the Chimborazo --
Ducal -- at last -- stand up by thee --

Love -- thou are deep --
I cannot cross thee --
But, were there Two
Instead of One --
Rower, and Yacht -- some sovereign Summer --
Who knows -- but we'd reach the Sun?

Love -- thou are Veiled --
A few -- behold thee --
Smile -- and alter -- and prattle -- and die --
Bliss -- were an Oddity -- without thee --
Nicknamed by God --
Eternity --

It was given to me by the Gods --
When I was a little Girl --
They given us Presents most -- you know --
When we are new -- and small.
I kept it in my Hand --
I never put it down --
I did not dare to eat -- or sleep --
For fear it would be gone --
I heard such words as "Rich" --
When hurrying to school --
From lips at Corners of the Streets --
And wrestled with a smile.
Rich! 'Twas Myself -- was rich --
To take the name of Gold --
And Gold to own -- in solid Bars --
The Difference -- made me bold --

Triumph -- may be of several kinds --
There's Triumph in the Room
When that Old Imperator -- Death --
By Faith

So well that I can live without --
I love thee -- then How well is that?
As well as Jesus?
Prove it me
That He -- loved Men --
As I -- love thee --

Sweet -- safe -- Houses --
Glad -- gay -- Houses --
Sealed so stately tight --
Lids of Steel -- on Lids of Marble --
Locking Bare feet out --

Brooks of Plush -- in Banks of Satin
Not so softly fall
As the laughter -- and the whisper --
From their People Pearl --

No Bald Death -- affront their Parlors --
No Bold Sickness come
To deface their Stately Treasures --
Anguish -- and the Tomb --

Hum by -- in Muffled Coaches --
Lest they -- wonder Why --
Any -- for the Press of Smiling --
Interrupt -- to die --

Like eyes that looked on Wastes --
Incredulous of Ought
But Blank -- and steady Wilderness --
Diversified by Night --

Just Infinites of Nought --
As far as it could see --
So looked the face I looked upon --
So looked itself -- on Me --

I offered it no Help --
Because the Cause was Mine --
The Misery a Compact
As hopeless -- as divine --

Neither -- would be absolved --
Neither would be a Queen
Without the Other -- Therefore --
We perish -- tho' We reign --

A Tooth upon Our Peace
The Peace cannot deface --
Then Wherefore be the Tooth?
To vitalize the Grace --

The Heaven hath a Hell --
Itself to signalize --
And every sign before the Place
Is Gilt with Sacrifice --