The Poems of Emily Dickinson, Variorum Edition, Franklin, 1998
Emily Dickinson Archive
Rearrange a "Wife's" Affection!When they dislocate my Brain! Amputate my freckled Bosom! Make me bearded like a man! Blush, my spirit, in thy Fastness -Blush, my unacknowledged clay - Seven years of troth have taught thee More than Wifehood ever may! Love that never leaped itsit's socket - Trust entrenchedintrenched in narrow pain -Constancy thro' fire - awarded - Anguish - bare of anodyne!Burden - borne so far triumphant - None suspect me of the crown, For I wear the "Thorns" till Sunset -Then - my Diadem put on. Big my Secret but it'sbandaged - It will never get away Till the Day itsit's Weary Keeper Leads it through the Grave to thee.