On the Bleakness of my Lot 1
Bloom I strove to raise－
Late－my Garden of a Rock
Yielded Grape－and Maise－
Soil of Flint, if steady tilled 5
Will refund the Hand－
Seed of Palm, by Lybian Sun
Fructified in Sand－
Bloom I strove to raise－
Late－my Garden of a Rock
Yielded Grape－and Maise－
Soil of Flint, if steady tilled 5
Will refund the Hand－
Seed of Palm, by Lybian Sun
Fructified in Sand－
(F.862/J.681)
[1] Lot:: destiny. Dickinson's destiny in writing.
[2] Bloom, raise:: her poetry to flourish.
[3] Rock:: a jewel.
[4] Grape and Maise:: purple and yellow.
[6] Hand:: art, skill.
[7] Palm:: a symbol of superiority or triumph. Libyan Sun:: bitter sunshine, severe challenge.
[8] Sand:: pluck, courage.