Misquoting Emily Dickinson

If hope is the thing with wings
Soaring higher and higher into an expanse-less sky
Flying far beyond the horizon's edge
I would that I had flames
To scorch these wings

If hope is the thing with wings
I would that I could cut off these limbs
Cripple, cripple, cripple me!
Never let me try, never let me seek
That which could lift me to immeasurable heights
Never, never do!

For if hope is the thing with wings
To push us towards the vast unknown
May I remind dear Hope
That it is safer to trip and fall on this rocky road
Than to plummet from such a height
Onto the same crushing ground