Rearrange a ‘Wife’s’ affection!
When they dislocate my Brain!
Amputate my freckled Bosom!
Make me bearded like a man!
Blush, my spirit, in thy Fastness –
Blush, my unacknowledged clay –
Seven years of troth have taught thee
More than Wifehood every may!
Love that never leaped its socket –
Trust entrenched in narrow pain –
Constancy thro’ fire – awarded –
Anguish – bare of anodyne!
Burden – borne so far triumphant –
None suspect me of the crown,
For I wear the ‘Thorns’ till Sunset –
Then – my Diadem put on.
Big my Secret but it’s bandaged –
It will never get away
Till the Day its Weary Keeper
Leads it through the Grave to thee.
