I Measure Every Grief I Meet [SSC8 Poetry Challenge]

I Measure Every Grief I Meet (Emily Dickinson) Poetry Challenge. Persona/Voice: Aurora Starborn ----------------------------------- A poem by Emily Dickinson Adapted lyrics slightly within last stanza Adapted for chorus sections Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) ------------------------------------ I measure every Grief I meet With narrow probing eyes, I wonder if It weighs like Mine.. Or has an Easier size.. I wonder if They bore it long.. Or did it just begin.... I could not tell the Date of Mine, It feels so old a pain, I wonder if it hurts to Live..! And if They have to Try..! And whether, could They choose between It would not be... to die I note that Some, gone patient long At length, renew their smile An imitation of a Light, That has so little Oil I wonder if when Years have piled Some Thousands, on the Harm That hurt them early, such a lapse Could give them any Balm... Or would they go on aching still, Through Centuries of Nerve.... Enlightened to a larger Pain, In Contrast with the Love... I wonder if it Hurts to Live..! And if They have to Try... And whether, could They choose between It would not be...to die The Grieved, are many, I am told.. There is the various Cause, Death, is but one, and comes but once And only nails the eyes. There's Grief of Want, and grief of Cold A sort they call "Despair" There's Banishment from native Eyes, In sight of Native Air.... And though I may not guess the kind, Correctly... yet to me A piercing Comfort it affords, In passing Calvary, To note the fashions of the Cross, And how they're mostly worn, Still fascinated to presume, That Some are like my own... I wonder if it hurts to Live.. And if They have to Try... And whether, could They choose between? I wonder if it Hurts to Give.. So much, and nothing in return, And whether, could They choose between A choice for you... and I.. "I Measure Every Grief I Meet" Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)