All for Herself; Shakey

Darkly, between two worlds,

Darkly, impeded;

What it might joy at

Not seen as needed.

Such winsome coils in a little being.

Such sulkiness and so much seeing.

All this is true, as true as its paws.

Sweetly it scowls, without enough cause.

Sweetly she scowls, while wanting to please.

A subtle something in sweet her can freeze

Where it desires to melt:

And kindness is unfelt

By Shakey, the grand one,

Who wants so to understand one

In a true animal manner.

She is not a good planner.

We are not such good planners;

Ours are insufficient manners.

Softness and hardness and dimness

Fight in her herness and himness.

A neck that is soft,

Eyes that go out,

Eyes that go deep,

A soul that’s aloft.

A kindness asleep,

Which some day will awake

With a graceful shout,

And Shakey all of herself

Will gladly take

All for herself.