I know where Wells grow -- Droughtless Wells --
Deep dug -- for Summer days --
Where Mosses go no more away --
And Pebble -- safely plays --

It's made of Fathoms -- and a Belt --
A Belt of jagged Stone --
Inlaid with Emerald -- half way down --
And Diamonds -- jumbled on --

It has no Bucket -- Were I rich
A Bucket I would buy --
I'm often thirsty -- but my lips
Are so high up -- You see --

I read in an Old fashioned Book
That People "thirst no more" --
The Wells have Buckets to them there --
It must mean that -- I'm sure --

Shall We remember Parching -- then?
Those Waters sound so grand --
I think a little Well -- like Mine --
Dearer to understand --

A Wife -- at daybreak I shall be --
Sunrise -- Hast thou a Flag for me?
At Midnight, I am but a Maid,
How short it takes to make a Bride --
Then -- Midnight, I have passed from thee
Unto the East, and Victory --

Midnight -- Good Night! I hear them call,
The Angels bustle in the Hall --
Softly my Future climbs the Stair,
I fumble at my Childhood's prayer
So soon to be a Child no more --
Eternity, I'm coming -- Sire,
Savior -- I've seen the face -- before!

Why make it doubt -- it hurts it so --
So sick -- to guess --
So strong -- to know --
So brave -- upon its little Bed
To tell the very last They said
Unto Itself -- and smile -- And shake --
For that dear -- distant -- dangerous -- Sake --
But -- the Instead -- the Pinching fear
That Something -- it did do -- or dare --
Offend the Vision -- and it flee --
And They no more remember me --
Nor ever turn to tell me why --
Oh, Master, This is Misery --

I live with Him -- I see His face --
I go no more away
For Visitor -- or Sundown --
Death's single privacy

The Only One -- forestalling Mine --
And that -- by Right that He
Presents a Claim invisible --
No wedlock -- granted Me --

I live with Him -- I hear His Voice --
I stand alive -- Today --
To witness to the Certainty
Of Immortality --

Taught Me -- by Time -- the lower Way --
Conviction -- Every day --
That Life like This -- is stopless --
Be Judgment -- what it may --

The power to be true to You,
Until upon my face
The Judgment push his Picture --
Presumptuous of Your Place --

Of This -- Could Man deprive Me --
Himself -- the Heaven excel --
Whose invitation -- Yours reduced
Until it showed too small --

I heard a Fly buzz -- when I died --
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air --
Between the Heaves of Storm --

The Eyes around -- had wrung them dry --
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset -- when the King
Be witnessed -- in the Room --

I willed my Keepsakes -- Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable -- and then it was
There interposed a Fly --

With Blue -- uncertain stumbling Buzz --
Between the light -- and me --
And then the Windows failed -- and then
I could not see to see --

'Tis little I -- could care for Pearls --
Who own the ample sea --
Or Brooches -- when the Emperor --
With Rubies -- pelteth me --

Or Gold -- who am the Prince of Mines --
Or Diamonds -- when have I
A Diadem to fit a Dom --
Continual upon me --

We do not play on Graves --
Because there isn't Room --
Besides -- it isn't even -- it slants
And People come --

And put a Flower on it --
And hang their faces so --
We're fearing that their Hearts will drop --
And crush our pretty play --

And so we move as far
As Enemies -- away --
Just looking round to see how far
It is -- Occasionally --

The Manner of its Death
When Certain it must die --
'Tis deemed a privilege to choose --
'Twas Major Andre's Way --

When Choice of Life -- is past --
There yet remains a Love
Its little Fate to stipulate --

How small in those who live --

The Miracle to tease
With Bable of the styles --
How "they are Dying mostly -- now" --
And Customs at "St. James"!