How many times these low feet staggered --
Only the soldered mouth can tell --
Try -- can you stir the awful rivet --
Try -- can you lift the hasps of steel!

Stroke the cool forehead-hot so often --
Lift -- if -- you care -- the listless hair --
Fondle the adamantine fingers
Never a thimble -- shall wear --

Buzz the dull flies -- on the chamber window --
Brave -- shines the sun through the freckled pane --
Fearless -- the cobweb swings from the ceiling --
Indolent Housewife -- in Daisies -- lain!

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson