Emily Dickinson’s “I cannot dance upon my Toes” by Chalbert Lyrics
326
I cannot dance upon my Toes
No Man instructed me
But oftentimes, among my mind
A Glee possesseth me
That had I Ballet knowledge
Would put itself abroad
In Pirouette to blanch a Troupe
Or lay a Prima, mad
And though I had no Gown of Gauze
No Ringlet, to my Hair
Nor hopped to Audiences—like Birds
One Claw upon the Air
Nor tossed my shape in Eider Balls
Nor rolled on wheels of snow
Till I was out of sight, in sound
The House encore me so
Nor any know I know the Art
I mention—easy—Here
Nor any Placard boast me
It's full as Opera
I cannot dance upon my Toes
No Man instructed me
But oftentimes, among my mind
A Glee possesseth me
That had I Ballet knowledge
Would put itself abroad
In Pirouette to blanch a Troupe
Or lay a Prima, mad
And though I had no Gown of Gauze
No Ringlet, to my Hair
Nor hopped to Audiences—like Birds
One Claw upon the Air
Nor tossed my shape in Eider Balls
Nor rolled on wheels of snow
Till I was out of sight, in sound
The House encore me so
Nor any know I know the Art
I mention—easy—Here
Nor any Placard boast me
It's full as Opera