Emily Dickinson

The Complete Poems [1924]

I can wade grief

I CAN wade grief,
Whole pools of it,--
I 'm used to that.
But the least push of joy
Breaks up my feet,
And I tip--drunken.
Let no pebble smile,
'T was the new liquor,--
That was all!

Power is only pain,
Stranded, through discipline,
Till weights will hang.
Give balm to giants,
And they 'll wilt, like men.
Give Himmaleh,--
They 'll carry him!