A poor－torn heart－a tattered heart－1
That sat it down to rest－
Nor noticed that the Ebbing Day
Flowed silver to the West－
Nor noticed Night did soft descend－5
Nor Constellation burn－
Intent upon the vision
Of latitudes unknown.
The angels－happening that way 9
This dusty heart espied－
Tenderly took it up from toil
And carried it to God－
There－sandals for the Barefoot－13
There－gathered from the gales－
Do the blue havens by the hand
Lead the wandering Sails.
That sat it down to rest－
Nor noticed that the Ebbing Day
Flowed silver to the West－
Nor noticed Night did soft descend－5
Nor Constellation burn－
Intent upon the vision
Of latitudes unknown.
The angels－happening that way 9
This dusty heart espied－
Tenderly took it up from toil
And carried it to God－
There－sandals for the Barefoot－13
There－gathered from the gales－
Do the blue havens by the hand
Lead the wandering Sails.
(F.125/J.78)
[1–16]:: This poem is about The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen. Dickinson extended the story and sent the girl to heaven to compensate its sad ending.
[1] A poor, heart:: the little match girl, who dared not go home for she had not sold any match.
[2] sat, rest:: she sat in a corner between two houses.
[4] silver:: a hint on snow.
[3–5] Ebbing Day, Night:: it was the New Year's eve.
[6] Constellation burn:: alluding the matches she lit, her own constellation.
[7, 8] vision, unknown:: she saw vision of her grandmother.
[9, 12] angels, God:: the little girl died.
[13–16] sandals, gales, havens:: the heaven for her.