I dwell in Possibility
               Emily Dickinson


the Black Cake was ordinary enough
2 pounds of flour -- sugar -- butter -- 19 eggs
5 pounds of raisins -- 2 of currants and citron
some brandy -- molasses -- and nutmeg

the Basket was plain and serviceable
woven of ash splints with a neatly fitting cover
a line of string hung from its handle
some Amherst children played beneath her window

but they were not threadbare or starving
no begging -- plenty to eat in the pantry
still -- they had been playing all day long
and were glad of a Picnic break

there was no need to lower them a Basket of Cakes
nothing was broken -- no one hurt
it was just a generous impulse
like a Mansion gracious of Windows

Copyright © 2003 Gary Lehmann