I Cautious, Scanned my Little Life, by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson

I Cautious, Scanned my Little Life

178

I cautious, scanned my little life—

I winnowed what would fade

From what would last till Heads like mine

Should be a-dreaming laid.

I put the latter in a Barn—

The former, blew away.

I went one winter morning

And lo - my priceless Hay

Was not upon the “Scaffold”—

Was not upon the “Beam”—

And from a thriving Farmer—

A Cynic, I became.

Whether a Thief did it—

Whether it was the wind—

Whether Deity’s guiltless—

My business is, to find!

So I begin to ransack!

How is it Hearts, with Thee?

Art thou within the little Barn

Love provided Thee?

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Emily Dickinson