They called me to the Window, for

They called me to the Window, for
“ ‘Twas Sunset” — Some one said —
I only saw a Sapphire Farm —
And just a Single Herd —

Of Opal Cattle — feeding far
Upon so vain a Hill —
As even while I looked — dissolved —
Nor Cattle were — nor Soil —

But in their stead — a Sea — displayed —
And Ships — of such a size
As Crew of Mountains — could afford —
And Decks — to seat the skies —

This — too — the Showman rubbed away —
And when I looked again —
Nor Farm — nor Opal Herd — was there —
Nor Mediterranean —

Emily Dickinson

Ephemeral seascape at Sunset

They called me to the Window,
For someone said" 'Twas Sunset" —
I only saw a blue Farm (sky) —
And just a Single Herd (group) —

Of Opal Cattle (cloud) — feeding far
Upon an ephemeral Hill (horizon)—
As even while I looked,
Nor Cattle nor Soil were dissolved —

But in their stead, a Sea and Ships
Displayed of such a size—
As giant Crew and Decks could afford
To seat the skies —

The Magician rubbed away this, too —
And when I looked again —
Nor Farm nor Opal Herd was there —
Nor Mediterranean —