359 by Emily Dickinson

Artwork (2013) by Gavin Aung Than at zenpencils.com

For the full poem illustration, click here

 359

A Bird, came down the Walk -
He did not know I saw -
He bit an Angle Worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,

And then, he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass -
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass -

He glanced with rapid eyes,
That hurried all abroad -
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,
He stirred his Velvet Head. -

Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers,
And rowed him softer Home -

Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon,
Leap, plashless as they swim.

Three versions of the 4th stanza:

I.

He stirred his velvet head

Like one in danger, cautious,
I offered him a crumb

II.

He stirred his Velvet Head

Like One in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb

III.

He stirred his Velvet Head. –

Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb