"Grief is a Mouse -" (753)

Grief is a Mouse -

And chooses Wainscot in the Breast

For His shy House -

And baffles quest -

Grief is a Thief - quick startled -

Pricks His Ear - report to hear

Of that Vast Dark -

That swept His Being - back -

Grief is a Juggler - boldest at the Play -

Lest if He flinch - the eye that way

Pounce on His Bruises - One - say - or Three -

Grief is a Gourmand - spare His luxury -

Best Grief is Tongueless - before He'll tell -

Burn Him in the Public square -

His Ashes - will

Possibly - if they refuse - How then know -

Since a Rack could'nt coax a syllable - now