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In Winter in my Room

Emily Dickinson·1830–1886
Lines:39
In Winter in my RoomI came upon a Worm --Pink, lank and warm --But as he was a wormAnd worms presumeNot quite with him at home --Secured him by a stringTo something neighboringAnd went along. A Trifle afterwardA thing occurredI'd not believe it if I heardBut state with creeping blood --A snake with mottles rareSurveyed my chamber floorIn feature as the worm beforeBut ringed with power -- The very string with whichI tied him -- tooWhen he was mean and newThat string was there -- I shrank -- "How fair you are"!Propitiation's claw --"Afraid," he hissed"Of me"?"No cordiality" --He fathomed me --Then to a Rhythm SlimSecreted in his FormAs Patterns swimProjected him. That time I flewBoth eyes his wayLest he pursueNor ever ceased to runTill in a distant TownTowns on from mineI set me downThis was a dream.