Poems (Dickinson)/Troubled about many things

For other versions of this work, see How many times these low feet staggered—.
Poems (1890)
by Emily Dickinson
Troubled about many things
337313Poems — Troubled about many things1890Emily Dickinson

XI.

"TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS."

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 can, the listless hair;
Handle the adamantine fingers
Never a thimble more 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!