The Soul selects her own Society (303)
Emily Dickinson, 1830 - 1886
The Soul selects her own Society —
Then — shuts the Door —
To her divine Majority —
Present no more —
Unmoved — she notes the Chariots — pausing —
At her low Gate —
Unmoved — an Emperor be kneeling
Upon her Mat —
I’ve known her — from an ample nation —
Choose One —
Then — close the Valves of her attention —
Like Stone —
If you were coming in the fall,
If you were coming in the Fall,
I'd brush the Summer by
With half a smile, and half a spurn,
As Housewives do, a Fly.
If I could see you in a year,
I'd wind the months in balls--And put them each in separate Drawers,
For fear the numbers fuse--If only Centuries, delayed,
I'd count them on my Hand,
Subtracting, til my fingers dropped
Into Van Dieman's Land,
If certain, when this life was out--That yours and mine, should be
I'd toss it yonder, like a Rind,
And take Eternity--But, now, uncertain of the length
Of this, that is between,
It goads me, like the Goblin Bee--That will not state--- its sting.
Tell all the truth but tell it slant — (1263)
BY EMILY DICKINSON
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
“Apparently with no surprise”
Apparently with no surprise,
To any happy flower,
The frost beheads it at its play,
In accidental power.
The blond assassin passes on.
The sun proceeds unmoved,
To measure off another day,
For an approving God.
Success is counted sweetest (112)
BY EMILY DICKINSON
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory
As he defeated – dying –
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!
Because I could not stop for Death – (479)
BY EMILY DICKINSON
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –
Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –
Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity –
I heard a Fly buzz - when I died - (591)
BY EMILY DICKINSON
I heard a Fly buzz - when I died The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air Between the Heaves of Storm The Eyes around - had wrung them dry And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset - when the King
Be witnessed - in the Room I willed my Keepsakes - Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable - and then it was
There interposed a Fly With Blue - uncertain - stumbling Buzz Between the light - and me And then the Windows failed - and then
I could not see to see -
Much Madness is divinest Sense - (620)
BY EMILY DICKINSON
Much Madness is divinest Sense To a discerning Eye Much Sense - the starkest Madness ’Tis the Majority
In this, as all, prevail Assent - and you are sane Demur - you’re straightway dangerous And handled with a Chain -
Nobody knows this little Rose
Emily Dickinson
Nobody knows this little Rose -It might a pilgrim be
Did I not take it from the ways
And lift it up to thee.
Only a Bee will miss it -Only a Butterfly,
Hastening from far journey -On its breast to lie -Only a Bird will wonder -Only a Breeze will sigh -Ah Little Rose -- how easy
For such as thee to die!
I started Early -- Took my Dog -Emily Dickinson
I started Early -- Took my Dog -And visited the Sea -The Mermaids in the Basement
Came out to look at me -And Frigates -- in the Upper Floor
Extended Hempen Hands -Presuming Me to be a Mouse -Aground -- upon the Sands -But no Man moved Me -- till the Tide
Went past my simple Shoe -And past my Apron -- and my Belt -And past my Bodice -- too -And made as He would eat me up -As wholly as a Dew
Upon a Dandelion's Sleeve -And then -- I started -- too -And He -- He followed -- close behind -I felt his Silver Heel
Upon my Ankle -- Then my Shoes
Would overflow with Pearl -Until We met the Solid Town -No One He seemed to know -And bowing -- with a Mighty look -At me -- The Sea withdrew --