Emily Dickinson

I cried at Pity—not at Pain—

588
 
I cried at Pity—not at Pain—
I heard a Woman say
“Poor Child”—and something in her voice
Convicted me—of me—
 
So long I fainted, to myself
It seemed the common way,
And Health, and Laughter, Curious things—
To look at, like a Toy—
 
To sometimes hear “Rich people” buy
And see the Parcel rolled—
And carried, I supposed—to Heaven,
For children, made of Gold—
 
But not to touch, or wish for,
Or think of, with a sigh—
And so and so—had been to me,
Had God willed differently.
 
I wish I knew that Woman’s name—
So when she comes this way,
To hold my life, and hold my ears
For fear I hear her say
 
She’s “sorry I am dead”—again—
Just when the Grave and I—
Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep,
Our only Lullaby—
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