Rearrange a “Wife’s” affection!
When they dislocate my Brain!
Amputate my freckled Bosom!
Make me bearded like a man!

Blush, my spirit, in thy Fastness —
Blush, my unacknowledged clay —
Seven years of troth have taught thee
More than Wifehood every may!

Love that never leaped its socket —
Trust entrenched in narrow pain —
Constancy thro’ fire — awarded —
Anguish — bare of anodyne!

Burden — borne so far triumphant —
None suspect me of the crown,
For I wear the “Thorns” till Sunset —
Then — my Diadem put on.

Big my Secret but it’s bandaged —
It will never get away
Till the Day its Weary Keeper
Leads it through the Grave to thee.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Emily Dickinson's poem Rearrange a “Wife’s” affection!

1 Comment

  1. Shayne says:

    This poem “rearrange a “wife’s” affection. pretty much is about emily dickinsons strugle with lesbianism. she (is though to have had) an affection for her sister in law sue gilbert. also the oppression of women in literature.

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