The Rose Did Caper on Her Cheek

Composed by John Woods Duke

Four Poems by Emily Dickinson Song Collection


"The Rose Did Caper on Her Cheek" is the second song in John Duke's song grouping Four Poems by Emily Dickinson.

Text

The Rose Did Caper on Her Cheek (poem 208)
by Emily Dickinson

The Rose did caper on her cheek —
Her Bodice rose and fell —
Her pretty speech — like drunken men —
Did stagger pitiful —

Her fingers fumbled at her work —
Her needle would not go —
What ailed so smart a little Maid —
It puzzled me to know —

Till opposite — I spied a cheek
That bore another Rose —
Just opposite — Another speech
That like the Drunkard goes —

A Vest that like her Bodice, danced —
To the immortal tune —
Till those two troubled — little Clocks
Ticked softly into one.

Sheet Music