Quite empty, quite at rest, 1
The Robin locks her Nest, and tries her Wings.
She does not know a Route
But puts her Craft about
For rumored Springs－
She does not ask for Noon－
She does not ask for Boon,
Crumbless and homeless, of but one request－
The Birds she lost－
The Robin locks her Nest, and tries her Wings.
She does not know a Route
But puts her Craft about
For rumored Springs－
She does not ask for Noon－
She does not ask for Boon,
Crumbless and homeless, of but one request－
The Birds she lost－
(F.1632/J.1606)
[1] Quite empty:: only one robin left here. quite at rest:: a bird rested fully (which missed her migration trip).
[2] Robin:: a migratory bird.
[3] Route:: migration route, a hint on the riddle.
[4] put about:: to trouble, distress (OED 34e, 1825). puts her Craft about:: the bird worries her skill to travel a long way.
[5] rumored springs:: she has not seen spring yet.
[6–9] She asks nothing but her companions.
Dickinson's birds, friends or family members, who died were migrated to a warmer place. She had no idea and craft about that place. Her only request was to meet them, in another world.