I am ashamed — I hide —

I am ashamed — I hide —
What right have I — to be a Bride —
So late a Dowerless Girl —
Nowhere to hide my dazzled Face —
No one to teach me that new Grace —
Nor introduce — my Soul —

Me to adorn — How — tell —
Trinket — to make Me beautiful —
Fabrics of Cashmere —
Never a Gown of Dun — more —
Raiment instead — of Pompadour —
For Me — My soul — to wear —

Fingers — to frame my Round Hair
Oval — as Feudal Ladies wore —
Far Fashions — Fair —
Skill to hold my Brow like an Earl —
Plead — like a Whippoorwill —
Prove — like a Pearl —
Then, for Character —
Fashion My Spirit quaint — white —
Quick — like a Liquor —
Gay — like Light —
Bring Me my best Pride —
No more ashamed —
No more to hide —
Meek — let it be — too proud — for Pride —
Baptized — this Day — a Bride —

Emily Dickinson

The least eligible bride!

I am ashamed, so I hide —
What right have I to be a Bride —
A late Girl without Dower—
Nowhere to hide my bashful Face —
No one to teach me a fashionable beauty routine —
My Soul Neither introduce
Nor tell me How to adorn
Trinket or Fabrics of Cashmere
To make Me beautiful —
No more dark Gowns —
Instead of Pompadour to wear
Clothing for Me and My soul —

Fingers to frame my Round Hair
Oval as Feudal Ladies wore —
Exotic fair Fashions —
Skill to hold my Brow like a Noblewoman —
Plead like a Whippoorwill —
Prove like a Pearl —
Then, for Character —
Make My Strange Spirit innocent —
Vivid like a Liquor —
Happy like Light —
Bring Me my best Pride —
No more ashamed —
No more to hide —
Humble — let it be — too proud — for Pride —
Today I have been reborn as Bride —