Poetessa, nato venerdì 10 dicembre 1830 a Amherst, Massachusetts (USA - Stati Uniti d'America), morto sabato 15 maggio 1886 a Amherst, Massachusetts (USA - Stati Uniti d'America)
The Guest is gold and crimson - An Opal guest, and gray - Of Ermine is his doublet - His Capuchin gay - He reaches town at nightfall - He stops at every door - Who looks for him at morning I pray him too - explore The Lark's pure territory - Or the Lapwing's shore
One Sister have I in our house - And one, a hedge away. There's only one recorded, But both belong to me. One came the road that I came - And wore my last year's gown - The other, as a bird her nest, Builded our hearts among.
She did not sing as we did - It was a different tune - Herself to her a music As Bumble bee of June.
Today is far from Childhood - But up and down the hills I held her hand the tighter - Which shortened all the miles -
And still her hum The years among, Deceives the Butterfly; Still in her Eye The Violets lie Mouldered this many May.
I spilt the dew - But took the morn; I chose this single star From out the wide night's numbers - Sue - forevermore!
The morns are meeker than they were - The nuts are getting brown - The berry's cheek is plumper - The Rose is out of town. The Maple wears a gayer scarf - The field a scarlet gown - Lest I should be old fashioned I'll put a trinket on.
I never told the buried gold Upon the hill - that lies - I saw the sun - his plunder done Crouch low to guard his prize. He stood as near As stood you here - A pace had been between - Did but a snake bisect the brake My life had forfeit been.
That was a wondrous booty - I hope 'twas honest gained. Those were the fairest ingots That ever kissed the spade!
Whether to keep the secret - Whether to reveal - Whether as I ponder "Kidd" will sudden sail -
Could a shrewd advise me We might e'en divide - Should a shrewd betray me - Atropos decide!
My Wheel is in the dark! I cannot see a spoke Yet know it's dripping feet Go round and round. My foot is on the Tide! An unfrequented road - Yet have all roads A clearing at the end -
Some have resigned the Loom - Some in the busy tomb Find quaint employ -
Some with new - stately feet - Pass royal thro' the gate - Flinging the problem back At you and I!
Through lane it lay - thro' bramble - Through clearing and thro' wood - Banditti often passed us Upon the lonely road. The wolf came peering curious - The Owl looked puzzled down - The serpent's satin figure Glid stealthily along,
The tempests touched our garments - The lightning's poinards gleamed - Fierce from the Crag above us The hungry Vulture screamed -
The Satyrs fingers beckoned - The Valley murmured "Come" - These were the mates - This was the road These Children fluttered home.
There is a word Which bears a sword Can pierce an armed man - It hurls it's barbed syllables And is mute again - But where it fell The saved will tell On patriotic day, Some epauletted Brother Gave his breath away. Wherever runs the breathless sun - Wherever roams the day, There is it's noiseless onset - There is it's victory! Behold the keenest marksman! The most accomplished shot! Time's sublimest target Is a soul "forgot"!
The feet of people walking home With gayer sandals go - The Crocus - till she rises The Vassal of the snow - The lips at Hallelujah Long years of practise bore Till bye and bye these Bargemen Walked singing on the shore. Pearls are the Diver's farthings Extorted from the sea - Pinions - the Seraph's wagon Pedestrian once - as we - Night is the morning's Canvas Larceny - legacy - Death, but our rapt attention To Immortality.
My figures fail to tell me How far the village lies - Whose peasants are the angels - Whose Cantons dot the skies - My Classics vail their faces - My faith that Dark adores - Which from it's solemn abbeys Such resurrection pours