Poems in this topic
Life and Existence
Emily Dickinson
How many times these low feet staggered
How many times these low feet staggered
187
How many times these low feet staggered-
Only the soldered mouth can tellTry-
can you stir the awful rivetTry-
can you lift the hasps of steel!
Stroke the cool forehead-hot so oftenLift-
if you care-the listless hair-
Handle the adamantine fingers
Never a thimble-more-shall wear-
Buzz the dull flies-on the chamber windowBrave-
shines the sun through the freckled paneFearless-
the cobweb swings from the ceiling-
Indolent Housewife-in Daisies-lain!
187
How many times these low feet staggered-
Only the soldered mouth can tellTry-
can you stir the awful rivetTry-
can you lift the hasps of steel!
Stroke the cool forehead-hot so oftenLift-
if you care-the listless hair-
Handle the adamantine fingers
Never a thimble-more-shall wear-
Buzz the dull flies-on the chamber windowBrave-
shines the sun through the freckled paneFearless-
the cobweb swings from the ceiling-
Indolent Housewife-in Daisies-lain!
280
Emily Dickinson
How happy is the little Stone
How happy is the little Stone
1510
How happy is the little Stone
That rambles in the Road alone,
And doesn't care about Careers
And Exigencies never fears-
Whose Coat of elemental Brown
A passing Universe put on,
And independent as the Sun
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute Decree
In casual simplicity-
1510
How happy is the little Stone
That rambles in the Road alone,
And doesn't care about Careers
And Exigencies never fears-
Whose Coat of elemental Brown
A passing Universe put on,
And independent as the Sun
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute Decree
In casual simplicity-
245
Emily Dickinson
How fortunate the Grave
How fortunate the Grave
897
How fortunate the Grave-
All Prizes to obtain-
Successful certain, if at last,
First Suitor not in vain.
897
How fortunate the Grave-
All Prizes to obtain-
Successful certain, if at last,
First Suitor not in vain.
310
Emily Dickinson
Home
Home
Years I had been from home,
And now, before the door
I dared not open, lest a face
I never saw before
Stare vacant into mine
And ask my business there.
My business, - just a life I left,
Was such still dwelling there?
I fumbled at my nerve,
I scanned the windows near;
The silence like an ocean rolled,
And broke against my ear.
I laughed a wooden laugh
That I could fear a door,
Who danger and the dead had faced,
But never quaked before.
I fitted to the latch
My hand, with trembling care,
Lest back the awful door should spring,
And leave me standing there.
I moved my fingers off
As cautiously as glass,
And held my ears, and like a thief
Fled gasping from the house.
Years I had been from home,
And now, before the door
I dared not open, lest a face
I never saw before
Stare vacant into mine
And ask my business there.
My business, - just a life I left,
Was such still dwelling there?
I fumbled at my nerve,
I scanned the windows near;
The silence like an ocean rolled,
And broke against my ear.
I laughed a wooden laugh
That I could fear a door,
Who danger and the dead had faced,
But never quaked before.
I fitted to the latch
My hand, with trembling care,
Lest back the awful door should spring,
And leave me standing there.
I moved my fingers off
As cautiously as glass,
And held my ears, and like a thief
Fled gasping from the house.
321
Emily Dickinson
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
649
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
Came the Darker WayCarriages-
Be Sure-and Guests-too-
But for Holiday
'Tis more pitiful Endeavor
Than did Loaded Sea
O'er the Curls attempt to caper
It had cast away-
Never Bride had such Assembling-
Never kinsmen kneeled
To salute so fair a Forehead-
Garland be indeed-
Fitter Feet-of Her before us-
Than whatever Brow
Art of Snow-or Trick of Lily
Possibly bestow
Of Her Father-Whoso ask Her-
He shall seek as high
As the Palm-that serve the Desert-
To obtain the Sky
Distance-be Her only Motion-
If 'tis Nay-or YesAcquiescence-
or Demurral-
Whosoever guess
He-must pass the Crystal Angle
That obscure Her faceHe-
must have achieved in person
Equal Paradise-
649
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
Came the Darker WayCarriages-
Be Sure-and Guests-too-
But for Holiday
'Tis more pitiful Endeavor
Than did Loaded Sea
O'er the Curls attempt to caper
It had cast away-
Never Bride had such Assembling-
Never kinsmen kneeled
To salute so fair a Forehead-
Garland be indeed-
Fitter Feet-of Her before us-
Than whatever Brow
Art of Snow-or Trick of Lily
Possibly bestow
Of Her Father-Whoso ask Her-
He shall seek as high
As the Palm-that serve the Desert-
To obtain the Sky
Distance-be Her only Motion-
If 'tis Nay-or YesAcquiescence-
or Demurral-
Whosoever guess
He-must pass the Crystal Angle
That obscure Her faceHe-
must have achieved in person
Equal Paradise-
316
Emily Dickinson
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
649
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
Came the Darker WayCarriages-
Be Sure-and Guests-too-
But for Holiday
'Tis more pitiful Endeavor
Than did Loaded Sea
O'er the Curls attempt to caper
It had cast away-
Never Bride had such Assembling-
Never kinsmen kneeled
To salute so fair a Forehead-
Garland be indeed-
Fitter Feet-of Her before us-
Than whatever Brow
Art of Snow-or Trick of Lily
Possibly bestow
Of Her Father-Whoso ask Her-
He shall seek as high
As the Palm-that serve the Desert-
To obtain the Sky
Distance-be Her only Motion-
If 'tis Nay-or YesAcquiescence-
or Demurral-
Whosoever guess
He-must pass the Crystal Angle
That obscure Her faceHe-
must have achieved in person
Equal Paradise-
649
Her Sweet turn to leave the Homestead
Came the Darker WayCarriages-
Be Sure-and Guests-too-
But for Holiday
'Tis more pitiful Endeavor
Than did Loaded Sea
O'er the Curls attempt to caper
It had cast away-
Never Bride had such Assembling-
Never kinsmen kneeled
To salute so fair a Forehead-
Garland be indeed-
Fitter Feet-of Her before us-
Than whatever Brow
Art of Snow-or Trick of Lily
Possibly bestow
Of Her Father-Whoso ask Her-
He shall seek as high
As the Palm-that serve the Desert-
To obtain the Sky
Distance-be Her only Motion-
If 'tis Nay-or YesAcquiescence-
or Demurral-
Whosoever guess
He-must pass the Crystal Angle
That obscure Her faceHe-
must have achieved in person
Equal Paradise-
316
Emily Dickinson
Heaven is what I cannot reach!
Heaven is what I cannot reach!
Heaven is what I cannot reach!
The apple on the tree,
Provided it do hopelss hang,
That 'heaven' is, to me.
The color on the cruising cloud,
The interdicted ground
Behind the hill, the house behind, -There
Paradise is found!
Heaven is what I cannot reach!
The apple on the tree,
Provided it do hopelss hang,
That 'heaven' is, to me.
The color on the cruising cloud,
The interdicted ground
Behind the hill, the house behind, -There
Paradise is found!
273
Emily Dickinson
Heart, We Will Forget Him
Heart, We Will Forget Him
Heart, we will forget him,
You and I, tonight!
You must forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.
When you have done pray tell me,
Then I, my thoughts, will dim.
Haste! ‘lest while you’re lagging
I may remember him!
Heart, we will forget him,
You and I, tonight!
You must forget the warmth he gave,
I will forget the light.
When you have done pray tell me,
Then I, my thoughts, will dim.
Haste! ‘lest while you’re lagging
I may remember him!
287
Emily Dickinson
He told a homely tale
He told a homely tale
763
He told a homely tale
And spotted it with tears-
Upon his infant face was set
The Cicatrice of years-
All crumpled was the cheek
No other kiss had known
Than flake of snow, divided with
The Redbreast of the Barn-
If Mother-in the Grave-
Or Father-on the Sea-
Or Father in the Firmament-
Or Brethren, had he-
If Commonwealth below,
Or Commonwealth above
Have missed a Barefoot CitizenI've
ransomed it-alive-
763
He told a homely tale
And spotted it with tears-
Upon his infant face was set
The Cicatrice of years-
All crumpled was the cheek
No other kiss had known
Than flake of snow, divided with
The Redbreast of the Barn-
If Mother-in the Grave-
Or Father-on the Sea-
Or Father in the Firmament-
Or Brethren, had he-
If Commonwealth below,
Or Commonwealth above
Have missed a Barefoot CitizenI've
ransomed it-alive-
333
Emily Dickinson
He was weak, and I was strong—then
He was weak, and I was strong—then
190
He was weak, and I was strong—then—
So He let me lead him in—
I was weak, and He was strong then—
So I let him lead me—Home.
'Twasn't far—the door was near—
'Twasn't dark—for He went—too—
'Twasn't loud, for He said nought—
That was all I cared to know.
Day knocked—and we must part—
Neither—was strongest—now—
He strove—and I strove—too—
We didn't do it—tho'!
190
He was weak, and I was strong—then—
So He let me lead him in—
I was weak, and He was strong then—
So I let him lead me—Home.
'Twasn't far—the door was near—
'Twasn't dark—for He went—too—
'Twasn't loud, for He said nought—
That was all I cared to know.
Day knocked—and we must part—
Neither—was strongest—now—
He strove—and I strove—too—
We didn't do it—tho'!
279
Emily Dickinson
He was weak, and I was strong—then
He was weak, and I was strong—then
190
He was weak, and I was strong—then—
So He let me lead him in—
I was weak, and He was strong then—
So I let him lead me—Home.
'Twasn't far—the door was near—
'Twasn't dark—for He went—too—
'Twasn't loud, for He said nought—
That was all I cared to know.
Day knocked—and we must part—
Neither—was strongest—now—
He strove—and I strove—too—
We didn't do it—tho'!
190
He was weak, and I was strong—then—
So He let me lead him in—
I was weak, and He was strong then—
So I let him lead me—Home.
'Twasn't far—the door was near—
'Twasn't dark—for He went—too—
'Twasn't loud, for He said nought—
That was all I cared to know.
Day knocked—and we must part—
Neither—was strongest—now—
He strove—and I strove—too—
We didn't do it—tho'!
279
Emily Dickinson
He put the Belt around my life
He put the Belt around my life
273
He put the Belt around my life
I heard the Buckle snap-
And turned away, imperial,
My Lifetime folding up-
Deliberate, as a Duke would do
A Kingdom's Title Deed-
Henceforth, a Dedicated sort-
A Member of the Cloud.
Yet not too far to come at call-
And do the little Toils
That make the Circuit of the Rest-
And deal occasional smiles
To lives that stoop to notice mine-
And kindly ask it in-
Whose invitation, know you not
For Whom I must decline?
273
He put the Belt around my life
I heard the Buckle snap-
And turned away, imperial,
My Lifetime folding up-
Deliberate, as a Duke would do
A Kingdom's Title Deed-
Henceforth, a Dedicated sort-
A Member of the Cloud.
Yet not too far to come at call-
And do the little Toils
That make the Circuit of the Rest-
And deal occasional smiles
To lives that stoop to notice mine-
And kindly ask it in-
Whose invitation, know you not
For Whom I must decline?
363
Emily Dickinson
He put the Belt around my life
He put the Belt around my life
273
He put the Belt around my life
I heard the Buckle snap-
And turned away, imperial,
My Lifetime folding up-
Deliberate, as a Duke would do
A Kingdom's Title Deed-
Henceforth, a Dedicated sort-
A Member of the Cloud.
Yet not too far to come at call-
And do the little Toils
That make the Circuit of the Rest-
And deal occasional smiles
To lives that stoop to notice mine-
And kindly ask it in-
Whose invitation, know you not
For Whom I must decline?
273
He put the Belt around my life
I heard the Buckle snap-
And turned away, imperial,
My Lifetime folding up-
Deliberate, as a Duke would do
A Kingdom's Title Deed-
Henceforth, a Dedicated sort-
A Member of the Cloud.
Yet not too far to come at call-
And do the little Toils
That make the Circuit of the Rest-
And deal occasional smiles
To lives that stoop to notice mine-
And kindly ask it in-
Whose invitation, know you not
For Whom I must decline?
363
Emily Dickinson
He outstripped Time with but a Bout
He outstripped Time with but a Bout
865
He outstripped Time with but a Bout,
He outstripped Stars and Sun
And then, unjaded, challenged God
In presence of the Throne.
And He and He in mighty List
Unto this present, run,
The larger Glory for the less
A just sufficient Ring.
865
He outstripped Time with but a Bout,
He outstripped Stars and Sun
And then, unjaded, challenged God
In presence of the Throne.
And He and He in mighty List
Unto this present, run,
The larger Glory for the less
A just sufficient Ring.
200
Emily Dickinson
He outstripped Time with but a Bout
He outstripped Time with but a Bout
865
He outstripped Time with but a Bout,
He outstripped Stars and Sun
And then, unjaded, challenged God
In presence of the Throne.
And He and He in mighty List
Unto this present, run,
The larger Glory for the less
A just sufficient Ring.
865
He outstripped Time with but a Bout,
He outstripped Stars and Sun
And then, unjaded, challenged God
In presence of the Throne.
And He and He in mighty List
Unto this present, run,
The larger Glory for the less
A just sufficient Ring.
200
Emily Dickinson
He fumbles at your spirit
He fumbles at your spirit
He fumbles at your spirit
As players at the keys
Before they drop full music on;
He stuns you by degrees,
Prepares your brittle substance
For the ethereal blow,
By fainter hammers, further heard,
Then nearer, then so slow
Your breath has time to straighten,
Your brain to bubble cool, --
Deals one imperial thunderbolt
That scalps your naked soul.
He fumbles at your spirit
As players at the keys
Before they drop full music on;
He stuns you by degrees,
Prepares your brittle substance
For the ethereal blow,
By fainter hammers, further heard,
Then nearer, then so slow
Your breath has time to straighten,
Your brain to bubble cool, --
Deals one imperial thunderbolt
That scalps your naked soul.
224
Emily Dickinson
He forgot—and I—remembered
He forgot—and I—remembered
203
He forgot—and I—remembered—
'Twas an everyday affair—
Long ago as Christ and Peter—
"Warmed them" at the "Temple fire."
"Thou wert with him"—quoth "the Damsel"?
"No"—said Peter, 'twasn't me—
Jesus merely "looked" at Peter—
Could I do aught else—to Thee?
203
He forgot—and I—remembered—
'Twas an everyday affair—
Long ago as Christ and Peter—
"Warmed them" at the "Temple fire."
"Thou wert with him"—quoth "the Damsel"?
"No"—said Peter, 'twasn't me—
Jesus merely "looked" at Peter—
Could I do aught else—to Thee?
291
Emily Dickinson
He forgot—and I—remembered
He forgot—and I—remembered
203
He forgot—and I—remembered—
'Twas an everyday affair—
Long ago as Christ and Peter—
"Warmed them" at the "Temple fire."
"Thou wert with him"—quoth "the Damsel"?
"No"—said Peter, 'twasn't me—
Jesus merely "looked" at Peter—
Could I do aught else—to Thee?
203
He forgot—and I—remembered—
'Twas an everyday affair—
Long ago as Christ and Peter—
"Warmed them" at the "Temple fire."
"Thou wert with him"—quoth "the Damsel"?
"No"—said Peter, 'twasn't me—
Jesus merely "looked" at Peter—
Could I do aught else—to Thee?
291
Emily Dickinson
Have any like Myself
Have any like Myself
736
Have any like Myself
Investigating March,
New Houses on the Hill descried-
And possibly a Church-
That were not, We are sure-
As lately as the Snow-
And are Today-if We exist-
Though how may this be so?
Have any like Myself
Conjectured Who may be
The Occupants of the Adobes-
So easy to the Sky
'Twould seem that God should be
The nearest Neighbor to-
And Heaven-a convenient Grace
For Show, or Company-
Have any like Myself
Preserved the Charm secure
By shunning carefully the Place
All Seasons of the Year,
Excepting March-'Tis then
My Villages be seen-
And possibly a Steeple-
Not afterward-by Men-
736
Have any like Myself
Investigating March,
New Houses on the Hill descried-
And possibly a Church-
That were not, We are sure-
As lately as the Snow-
And are Today-if We exist-
Though how may this be so?
Have any like Myself
Conjectured Who may be
The Occupants of the Adobes-
So easy to the Sky
'Twould seem that God should be
The nearest Neighbor to-
And Heaven-a convenient Grace
For Show, or Company-
Have any like Myself
Preserved the Charm secure
By shunning carefully the Place
All Seasons of the Year,
Excepting March-'Tis then
My Villages be seen-
And possibly a Steeple-
Not afterward-by Men-
299
Emily Dickinson
Had I not This, or This, I said
Had I not This, or This, I said
904
Had I not This, or This, I said,
Appealing to Myself,
In moment of prosperityInadequate-
were Life
"Thou hast not Me, nor Me"-it said,
In Moment of Reverse"
And yet Thou art industrious-
No need-hadst Thou-of us"?
My need-was all I had-I said-
The need did not reduce-
Because the food-exterminate-
The hunger-does not cease-
But diligence-is sharper-
Proportioned to the Chance-
To feed upon the RetrogradeEnfeebles-
the Advance-
904
Had I not This, or This, I said,
Appealing to Myself,
In moment of prosperityInadequate-
were Life
"Thou hast not Me, nor Me"-it said,
In Moment of Reverse"
And yet Thou art industrious-
No need-hadst Thou-of us"?
My need-was all I had-I said-
The need did not reduce-
Because the food-exterminate-
The hunger-does not cease-
But diligence-is sharper-
Proportioned to the Chance-
To feed upon the RetrogradeEnfeebles-
the Advance-
208
Emily Dickinson
God permit industrious angels
God permit industrious angels
God permit industrious angels
Afternoons to play.
I met one, -- forgot my school-mates,
All, for him, straightaway.
God calls home the angels promptly
At the setting sun;
I missed mine. How dreary marbles,
After playing the Crown!
God permit industrious angels
Afternoons to play.
I met one, -- forgot my school-mates,
All, for him, straightaway.
God calls home the angels promptly
At the setting sun;
I missed mine. How dreary marbles,
After playing the Crown!
262
Emily Dickinson
God is a distant—stately Lover
God is a distant—stately Lover
357
God is a distant—stately Lover—
Woos, as He states us—by His Son—
Verily, a Vicarious Courtship—
"Miles", and "Priscilla", were such an One—
But, lest the Soul—like fair "Priscilla"
Choose the Envoy—and spurn the Groom—
Vouches, with hyperbolic archness—
"Miles", and "John Alden" were Synonym—
357
God is a distant—stately Lover—
Woos, as He states us—by His Son—
Verily, a Vicarious Courtship—
"Miles", and "Priscilla", were such an One—
But, lest the Soul—like fair "Priscilla"
Choose the Envoy—and spurn the Groom—
Vouches, with hyperbolic archness—
"Miles", and "John Alden" were Synonym—
306