“If the stillness is VolcanicIn the human faceWhen upon a pain TitanicFeatures keep their place-If at length the smoldering anguishWill not overcome-And the palpitating VinyardIn the dust, be overthrown?”

“There is a pain so utter, it swallows being up; The covers the abyss with a tranceSo memory can step around, across, upon it.”

“This quiet Dust was Gentlemen and Ladies, And Lads and Girls;Was laughter and ability and sighing,And frocks and curls.This passive place a Summer's nimble mansion,Where Bloom and BeesFulfilled their Oriental Circuit,Then ceased like these.”

“Fame is a fickle food upon a shifting plate. ”

“Pain - has an Element of BlankIt cannot recollectWhen it begun - or if there werea time when it was not - It has no Future - but itself - Its Infinite containIts Past - enlightened to perceiveNew Periods - of Pain.”

“Some keep the Sabbath going to church, I keep it staying at home, with a bobolink for a chorister, and an orchard for a dome. ”

“It might be lonelierWithout the Loneliness —I'm so accustomed to my Fate —Perhaps the Other — Peace —Would interrupt the Dark —And crowd the little Room —Too scant — by Cubits — to containThe Sacrament — of Him —I am not used to Hope —It might intrude upon —Its sweet parade — blaspheme the place —Ordained to Suffering —It might be easierTo fail — with Land in Sight —Than gain — My Blue Peninsula —To perish — of Delight — F535 (1863) J405”