University of Virginia Library


1

TO SUE.

One Sister have I in our house,
And one a hedge away
There's only one recorded
But both belong to me.
One came the way that I came,
And wore my last year's gown,
The other, as a bird her nest,
Builded our hearts among.
She did not sing as we did,
It was a different tune,
Herself to her a music—
As Bumble-bee of June.
Today is far from childhood,
But up and down the hills
I held her hand the tighter,
Which shortened all the miles.

2

And still her hum the years among
Deceives the Butterfly,
Still in her eye the Violets lie
Mouldered this many May.
I spilt the dew but took the morn,
I chose this single Star
From out the wide night's numbers,
Sue—forevermore!
—Emilie.