Emily Dickinson




443

I tie my Hat - I crease my Shawl -
Life's little duties do - precisely - 
As the very least
Were infinite - to me -

I put new Blossoms in the Glass -
And throw the old - away - 
I push a petal from my gown
That anchored there - I weigh
The time 'twill be till six o'clock
I have so much to do - 
And yet - Existence - some way back -
Stopped - struck - my tickling - through -
We cannot put Ourself away
As a completed Man
Or Woman - When the Errand's done
We came to Flesh - upon - 
There may be - Miles on Miles of Nought -
Of Action - sicker far -
To simulate - is stinging work -
To cover what we are
From Science - and from Surgery -
Too Telescopic Eyes
To bear on us unshaded -
For their - sake - not for Ours -
Twould start them -
We”could tremble -
But since we got a Bomb -
And held it in our Bosom -
Nay”Hold it”it is calm -

Therefore - we do life's labor -
Though life's Reward - be done -
With scrupulous exactness -
To hold our Senses - on -