Grief is a Mouse --

Grief is a Mouse --
And chooses Wainscot in the Breast
For His Shy House --
And baffles quest --

Grief is a Thief -- quick startled --
Pricks His Ear -- report to hear
Of that Vast Dark --
That swept His Being -- back --

Grief is a Juggler -- boldest at the Play --
Lest if He flinch -- the eye that way
Pounce on His Bruises -- One -- say -- or Three -- Grief is a
Gourmand -- spare His luxury --

Best Grief is Tongueless -- before He'll tell --
Burn Him in the Public Square --
His embers --[^a1]Ashes -- will
Possibly -- if they refuse -- How then know --
Since a Rack could'nt coax an answer --[^a2]a syllable -- now

[^a1: embers -- | embers --]

[^a2: an answer -- | an answer --]