892 Who occupies this House? lyrics

Who occupies this House?

A Stranger I must judge

Since No one know His Circumstance —

'Tis well the name and age

Are writ upon the Door

Or I should fear to pause

Where not so much as Honest Dog

Approach encourages.

It seems a curious Town —

Some Houses very old,

Some — newly raised this Afternoon,

Were I compelled to build

It should not be among

Inhabitants so still

But where the Birds assemble

And Boys were possible.

Before Myself was born

'Twas settled, so they say,

A Territory for the Ghosts —

And Squirrels, formerly.

Until a Pioneer, as

Settlers often do

Liking the quiet of the Place

Attracted more unto —

And from a Settlement

A Capital has grown

Distinguished for the gravity

Of every Citizen.

The Owner of this House

A Stranger He must be —

Eternity's Acquaintances

Are mostly so — to me.

• Artist:Emily Dickinson